National Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month

From the producers of DOGTOWN and Z-BOYS AND BONES BRIGADE: AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY comes a look at an expressive, explosive world that is known about but almost never entered by outsiders. The film, directed by renowned photographer Angela Boatwright, explores the young, mostly Hispanic, Punk scene in L.A. and finds an undeniably gritty, yet creative environment.

With unprecedented access to backyard parties, concerts, and daily ups and downs, the film shares a vérité look at the realities of the 21st century, our need for community, the importance of self-expression and of course, the power of rock & roll. The sense of belonging is palpable; emotional bonds fostered among good families and those broken, poverty and wealth, adolescence and maturity, with the music emanating a magnetic chorus for all to sing together. LOS PUNKS: WE ARE ALL WE HAVE portrays this vibrant "DIY" community with candor and rough beauty.

As a 9 year-old second grader, Lupe had been forced to remain in the first grade for three years, not because of her academic performance but solely because she was Mexican American. She was one of eight young students who testified in a federal court case in 1956 to end the discriminatory practice (Hernandez et al. v. Driscoll Consolidated Independent School District), one of the first post-Brown desegregation court cases to be litigated.

STOLEN EDUCATION portrays the courage of these young people, testifying in an era when fear and intimidation were used to maintain racial hierarchy and control. The students won the case, but for almost sixty years the case was never spoken about in the farming community where they lived despite its significance.

This is the story behind Latin boogaloo, a colorful expression of 1960's New York City Latino soul. From its origins to its recent resurgence, WE LIKE IT LIKE THAT is documents the music that redefined a generation and was too funky to keep down.

Official Selection at the SXSW Film Festival.