Mexicans Protest Their Way into American History Documntry

Mexicans Protest Their Way into American History Documntry
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Category: Life

Filmmaker Changes Movie After Protests

A World War II documentary by a local filmmaker will be amended to include Latinos thanks to a protest spearheaded by a retired San Diego State University administrator.
Thursday, April 12, 2007

PBS said Thursday the new content of Ken Burns' movie will be incorporated within the series without changing the existing film. How that exactly will be done remains to be seen.

Burns also said he will use a Latino producer to help create the additional material, which will become "an integral part" of DVD, internet and classroom presentations related to the film.

The news was welcomed by activist and retired SDSU administrator Gus Chavez, as well as organizers of "Defend the Honor." That is a campaign launched in February to push for changes in "The War," which is scheduled to air nationally in seven parts over two weeks beginning Sept. 23.

After word spread late last year that the Latino experience both in combat and at home during the war was not represented in the film, Chavez and other activists flew to Virginia in early March for a meeting with PBS officials to push for a re-edit.

At first, Burns resisted to change the film, saying he's a filmmaker, not a historian, and the series was never meant to be definitive.

However, Burns decided to leave his film intact while creating additional content that will focus on the stories of both Latino and American Indian veterans.

Click here for a link to Ken Burns' Web site on PBS.