Jordan Mechner's awardwinning 2003 halfhour documentary tells the bittersweet story of an American community betrayed by greed, political hypocrisy, and good intentions gone astray. Don Normark's haunting blackandwhite photographs reclaim and celebrate Chavez Ravine, a closelyknit MexicanAmerican village that once overlooked downtown Los Angeles from the hill where Dodger Stadium now stands.
Narrated by Cheech Marin. Music by Ry Cooder and Lalo Guerrero.
"Powerful and moving... a gripping revival of the forgotten history behind the land which today holds L.A. Dodger Stadium."
The Daily Sundial, California State University
Shortlisted for Academy Award nomination Best Documentary Short
Best Short Documentary International Documentary Association Award
Grand Jury Award, Best Documentary Short Florida Film Festival
"Chavez Ravine is a unique and fascinating contribution to the unknown history of Latino people in California. It relates beautifully to every dislocated community; it connects in a surprising and important way to the McCarthy era; it is composed of oral history and historic photographs, woven seamlessly with a beautiful score and narrative. I cannot recommend it highly enough to all teachers because it shows the relevance and power of history for all."
Lauren Coodley, History Dept., Napa College
http://jordanmechner.com/chavezravine