No Más Bebes and 6 More Latino Documentaries You Can Watch Online for Free, Now
Through these Latino documentaries we can celebrate Latino achievement, marvel at our complicated history in the U.S. and cheer those making a difference in our communities. They are all streaming right now, some for a very limited time. Don’t miss them.
No Mas Bebés
This is a horrifying story, but one that is so important to watch because it happened here, in the U.S., and not long ago. In the 1960s and 1970s vulnerable Latinas gave birth at Los Angeles County hospital were sterilized – made unable to carry more children – without their knowledge or consent – or more accurately, who were tricked into giving consent. It was a part of an appalling program designed to control the birth rates among the poor. Years after this unbelievable violation, the victims came together to sue the doctors, state and government to surprising results. Now through February 21. Watch Now.
Credit: Kevin Castro
The Chicano Collection
What does it mean to be Chicano? What a heavy question. In this vivid documentary, we are treated to a peek into the world of Chicano artists. From artists like John Valadez to musicians like Ozomatli and Los Lobos, we see how creators have contemplated that question, their place in society and their identity, and funneled it into the making of some of the most beautiful and iconic artworks of our culture and our time. What’s more, some of these artists’ pieces were in danger of going unnoticed had it not been for Cheech Marin, the most important collector and advocate of Chicano art in the world.
Children of the Revolución
Children of the Revolución may only be available to viewers served by KLRN, the San Antonio PBS affiliate, but if you can get your hands on this series, it’s so worth it. Through interviews with artists, historians, writers, academics, musicians and everyday people, the documentary dives into the history of Mexicans in Texas since the Mexican Revolution. We hear from Sandra Cisneros, godfather of Hispanic advertising Lionel Sosa, and many more. It’s an uplifting and fascinating look at a history so many of us share, and yet that we seem to know so little about. Not only that, but 20 episodes of this series are available for streaming, for free. None are longer than 30 minutes, so you can become absorbed in quick and engaging Tejano history lesson no matter how busy your schedule. Ongoing. Watch Now.
East of Salinas
Brilliant and curious, little Jose is in only the 3rd grade but has discovered a facility and love of math and numbers. He clings to school while his migrant worker mother picks lettuce in California’s fields. His teacher fights to help Jose keep dreaming and working hard, even as bigoted voices and anti-immigrant policies attempt to drown out any hope children like Jose have to build a better life for themselves in the U.S. As a Mexican American mother, it’s hard to see children who look like mine and who have every potential in the world, face unjust barriers to their success. It’s inspiring to see teachers going far beyond their already heavy responsibilities and working on their behalf. Now through March 1. Watch Now. Credit: Courtesy of Kate Schermerhorn
Harvest of Empire
This feature-film length documentary starts in Los Angeles, but takes us to Mexico, the Caribbean and to Central America to examine what brings Latinos to the U.S. It carefully and thoughtfully takes a critical look the role that the U.S. military played in changing the Latin American landscape, as it did in Puerto Rico, for instance. And in Guatemala, the U.S. government’s alliance with a powerful corporate fruit company, destabilized the country and resulted in people being “disappeared.” Sometimes heartbreaking, it’s a critical film that must be seen. Junot Diaz, Maria Hinojosa, Jesse Jackson and many more lend their voices and perspectives. Ongoing. Watch Now.
Latino Americans: Episodes 1 – 6
Latino Americans was a ground breaking series that intended to tell the story of the history of Latinos in the United States and showcase their cultural contribution to the country. This is an almost impossible task considering the diversity of Latinos, the varying immigration stories (including those who never immigrated), and the difficulty of defining who is “Hispanic.” Starting in the 1600s, the series spans the founding of the nation, the role U.S. Latinos played in wars, new immigration waves, the civil rights battles of the 1960s, and today’s Latinos growing political and cultural clout, despite the resentment, fear and anti-Latino sentiment that still exists. Ongoing. Watch Now. Credit: PBS.
Viva Morrissey!
Although less than 15 minutes, this fun, short documentary spotlights a group of Latino superfans in L.A. Largely Mexican and Mexican Americans, these young people focus their adoration on British singer Morrissey. The lead singer of The Smiths, Morrissey was most famous in the 1980s and became well known for his dark, sensitive and outsider lyrics, something these fans say they relate to. It’s refreshing to see a “Latino documentary” dive into young people’s culture. We know we like punk, emo, heavy metal, pop, country and so much more than mariachi, it’s exciting to see others awaken to that, too. Ongoing. Watch Now.
