Gainesville, FL—On October 1, the Samuel Proctor Oral History Program will premiere “Siempre Adelante,” a documentaryfilm that chroniclesthe life experiences and strugglesof first-generation immigrants from Latin America in Alachua County, Floridaat 6:00 p.m. in Pugh Hall. Flyers, posters, and the news release are available in SPOHP’s Press Kit.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e32Lhm9Zzhk
The movie, produced by SPOHP Technology Coordinator Deborah Hendrix with Maria Muñoz, features the life narratives of four men and women living in Alachua County who emigrated from three different countries. The stories highlight the challenges that new immigrants face in Florida and pose questions about what it means to be an immigrant in a society that prides itself as being “A nation of immigrants.”
Pastor Jaime Zelaya of Gainesville approached SPOHP with the idea for “Siempre Adelante” in an effort to encourage understanding of the complex lives and struggles of newimmigrants and topromote compassion for their experiences. Pastor Zelayawas inspired to begin the project by members of his congregation.
The film features first person interviews as well as performances of experiences in the lives of immigrants as described by the narrators themselves. The film is in Spanish with English subtitles.
The film premiere of “Siempre Adelante” will be held in the Pugh Hall Ocora at 6:00 p.m. on October 1. The event will include a panel discussion with the film makers and Pastor Zelaya. The screening will be followed by a reception. Parking for the event is free.
The public program is made possible by a grant from theCenter for the Humanities in the Public Sphere Rothman Endowment and co-sponsored by the UF Institute of Hispanic-Latino Cultures, in conjunction with Hispanic Heritage Month at UF, a celebration of Hispanic heritage taking place throughout October. Local community organizations & individuals underwrote a significant amount of the production costs for Siempre Adelante.
For more information about this event, including directions and parking information, please visit the Samuel Proctor Oral History Program’s website or call at (352) 392-7168.