In Production

The Ballad of Luis Valdez

A feature length documentary about Chicano activist, playwright, and artist

From his revolutionary theater performances alongside Cesar Chavez to his blockbuster film La Bamba, he has used the art of storytelling as a force for social justice.

Today, Valdez is still working, producing work from El Teatro Campesino that empowers the next generation of artists. He is also Executive Producer on the 2024 remake of La Bamba.

This is a dynamic portrait of the life and work—past and present—of this extraordinary storyteller and how art can be a force for change.


Director: David Alvarado
DP: Zachary Fink
Producers: Everett Katigbak, Lauren DeFilippo, Amanda Pollak, Insignia Films
Co-producer: Brenda Avila

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the original procession. #diadelosmuertos #elteatrocampesino #luisvaldez #chicanoculture
the original procession. #diadelosmuertos #elteatrocampesino #luisvaldez #chicanoculture
Sitting down with the legendary Danny Valdez. Danny was instrumental in bringing Ritchie Valens’s story to life in La Bamba, as well as the early days of el Teatro Campesino. #labamba #luisvaldez #chicanoart #chicanomusic #lindaronstadt
Sitting down with the legendary Danny Valdez. Danny was instrumental in bringing Ritchie Valens’s story to life in La Bamba, as well as the early days of el Teatro Campesino. #labamba #luisvaldez #chicanoart #chicanomusic #lindaronstadt
Maestro at work—Luis Valdez in his office. #luisvaldez #elteatrocampesino #labamba #ritchievalens
Maestro at work—Luis Valdez in his office. #luisvaldez #elteatrocampesino #labamba #ritchievalens
Combing through the archives. #luisvaldez #laraza #elpachuco #cheech
Combing through the archives. #luisvaldez #laraza #elpachuco #cheech
We sat down with photographer and artist @lcvgarza on documenting Chicana/o culture and activism from the 60s through today. He took many iconic images over the years . . . #luisvaldez #cesarchavez #laborrights #doloreshuerta #elteatrocampesino #zoot
We sat down with photographer and artist @lcvgarza on documenting Chicana/o culture and activism from the 60s through today. He took many iconic images over the years . . . #luisvaldez #cesarchavez #laborrights #doloreshuerta #elteatrocampesino #zootsuit #chicanoart #chicanoactivism #edwardjamesolmos #luisgarza #eastla
Larry Itliong, Luis Valdez, and Cesar Chavez. Happy Larry Itliong day, to one of the godfathers of the labor rights movement, and organizer of the Delano Grape Strike. . . . . #luisvaldez #cesarchavez #laborrights #doloreshuerta #elteatrocampesino #d
Larry Itliong, Luis Valdez, and Cesar Chavez. Happy Larry Itliong day, to one of the godfathers of the labor rights movement, and organizer of the Delano Grape Strike. . . . . #luisvaldez #cesarchavez #laborrights #doloreshuerta #elteatrocampesino #delanograpestrike #zootsuit #chicanoart #chicanoactivism #filipinohistory #larryitliong #filam #filipinoamerican
Another legendary Chicana artist—Linda Rondstadt. “Canciones de Mi Padre” still holds the record for biggest-selling Spanish-language album in American history. She worked with Luis and brother Danny several times throughout their c
Another legendary Chicana artist—Linda Rondstadt. “Canciones de Mi Padre” still holds the record for biggest-selling Spanish-language album in American history. She worked with Luis and brother Danny several times throughout their careers. . . . . #luisvaldez #cesarchavez #laborrights #doloreshuerta #elteatrocampesino #delanograpestrike #zootsuit #chicanoart #chicanoactivism #lindaronstadt #cancionesdemipadre #mariachi #chicana
We got to sit down with the legend, Dolores Huerta. She not only talked about the history of the labor rights movement from the Delano Grape Strike, but the work she continues to do at 93 years young. She also recalls meeting @barackobama , and him s
We got to sit down with the legend, Dolores Huerta. She not only talked about the history of the labor rights movement from the Delano Grape Strike, but the work she continues to do at 93 years young. She also recalls meeting @barackobama , and him saying to her, “I stole your slogan.” Sí Se Puede <> Yes We Can. . . . . #luisvaldez #cesarchavez #laborrights #doloreshuerta #elteatrocampesino #delanograpestrike #zootsuit #chicanoart #chicanoactivism #sisepuede
Great day of filming with Edward James Olmos reminiscing about El Pachuco, and Cheech talking about humor as an act of resistance. . . . . #luisvaldez #cesarchavez #laborrights #doloreshuerta #elteatrocampesino #delanograpestrike #zootsuit #chicanoar
Great day of filming with Edward James Olmos reminiscing about El Pachuco, and Cheech talking about humor as an act of resistance. . . . . #luisvaldez #cesarchavez #laborrights #doloreshuerta #elteatrocampesino #delanograpestrike #zootsuit #chicanoart #chicanoactivism #edwardjamesolmos #cheechmarin #cheechandchong #zootsuiters #elpachuco
Ni de aqu&iacute;, ni de all&aacute;. . . . #luisvaldez #cesarchavez #laborrights #doloreshuerta #elteatrocampesino #delanograpestrike #zootsuit #chicanoart #chicanoactivism #edwardjamesolmos #nideaquinidealla #vivalaraza #sisepuede
Ni de aquí, ni de allá. . . . #luisvaldez #cesarchavez #laborrights #doloreshuerta #elteatrocampesino #delanograpestrike #zootsuit #chicanoart #chicanoactivism #edwardjamesolmos #nideaquinidealla #vivalaraza #sisepuede
the original procession. #diadelosmuertos #elteatrocampesino #luisvaldez #chicanoculture Sitting down with the legendary Danny Valdez. Danny was instrumental in bringing Ritchie Valens&rsquo;s story to life in La Bamba, as well as the early days of el Teatro Campesino. #labamba #luisvaldez #chicanoart #chicanomusic #lindaronstadt Maestro at work&mdash;Luis Valdez in his office. #luisvaldez #elteatrocampesino #labamba #ritchievalens Combing through the archives. #luisvaldez #laraza #elpachuco #cheech We sat down with photographer and artist @lcvgarza on documenting Chicana/o culture and activism from the 60s through today. He took many iconic images over the years . . . #luisvaldez #cesarchavez #laborrights #doloreshuerta #elteatrocampesino #zoot Larry Itliong, Luis Valdez, and Cesar Chavez. Happy Larry Itliong day, to one of the godfathers of the labor rights movement, and organizer of the Delano Grape Strike. . . . . #luisvaldez #cesarchavez #laborrights #doloreshuerta #elteatrocampesino #d Another legendary Chicana artist&mdash;Linda Rondstadt. &ldquo;Canciones de Mi Padre&rdquo; still holds the record for biggest-selling Spanish-language album in American history. She worked with Luis and brother Danny several times throughout their c We got to sit down with the legend, Dolores Huerta. She not only talked about the history of the labor rights movement from the Delano Grape Strike, but the work she continues to do at 93 years young. She also recalls meeting @barackobama , and him s Great day of filming with Edward James Olmos reminiscing about El Pachuco, and Cheech talking about humor as an act of resistance. . . . . #luisvaldez #cesarchavez #laborrights #doloreshuerta #elteatrocampesino #delanograpestrike #zootsuit #chicanoar Ni de aqu&iacute;, ni de all&aacute;. . . . #luisvaldez #cesarchavez #laborrights #doloreshuerta #elteatrocampesino #delanograpestrike #zootsuit #chicanoart #chicanoactivism #edwardjamesolmos #nideaquinidealla #vivalaraza #sisepuede