(Flagstaff, Ariz.) Oct. 23, 2013 — Filmmaker and Northern Arizona University Graduate Alum Carolyn Brown is showing her film From the Fields: An American Journey and speaking at the Museum of Northern Arizona’s 10th Celebraciones de la Gente event October 26 & 27.
The film documents the life of Chicano journalist Damien Trujillo who broke his family’s cycle of working in the fields.
“As a journalist I would often, and still do, become frustrated with how Latinos are represented in the mainstream media. I want that to change,” Brown said.
Inspired by her own experience growing up as the daughter of a Latino immigrant, Brown’s expertise is in Latino immigrant communities, the border, Latino representation in the media and the anti-immigrant movement.
Brown will discuss about why she believes it is important that Latino stories be told in a positive way that is both an oppositional and realistic representation of Latino life.
From the Fields goes beyond the hateful rhetoric surrounding the immigration debate and into a deeper exploration of what it means to work, to support family and contribute to American society. The documentary has been recognized with a Gracie Award for Outstanding Director, an Orson Welles California Film Award and a CreaTV award for Excellence in Directing.
Brown has another film in post production, The Salinas Project that she will preview at the museum as well. According to Brown both films are meant to deconstruct popular perceptions of Latinos by reframing the Latino narratives common to mainstream media.
The screening of From the Fields and Brown’s appearance will be from 12:45 p.m. – 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26 and from 2:15 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 27. The showing is just one way the Museum of Northern Arizona is honoring Latino culture and history
.