Info

Free admission! Discussion to follow the screening.

Join us for a film screening of La Bamba, followed by an insightful Q&A session exploring the film through a literary and cultural lens. This event bridges the gap between cinema and scholarship, as our panel discusses the lasting cultural impact of this iconic story.

Featured Panelists:

• Dr. Richard T. Rodriguez – UC Riverside
• Angelica Ortiz – PhD Student, UC Riverside
• Dr. Efren Lopez – San Diego State University Guest Speaker)

Together, these scholars will provide a deep dive into the film’s themes, its place in the American cinematic canon, and its significance within Chicano culture.

Synopsis

The brief but incandescent life of rock-and-roll trailblazer Ritchie Valens is immortalized in this enthralling biopic from another icon, Luis Valdez, the father of Chicano cinema. With sweetness and swagger, Lou Diamond Phillips embodies the 1950s California teenager who, forged by his fiercely supportive mother (Rosana DeSoto) and rebellious brother (Esai Morales), rises from his farm-working roots to chart-topping fame in the early days of rock—until one fateful night that haunts music history. Propelled by a soundtrack featuring Los Lobos and Carlos Santana, La Bamba captures the electric vitality of an artist who bridged cultures to create his own American dream.

This event is made possible with the support of the CHASS Dean’s Office and the Center for Ideas and Society. Additional support is provided by Chicano Student Programs at UC Riverside, GSEA (Graduate Student English Association) at UC Riverside, and the UC Riverside Department of English.

Trailer

Film Details

Directors: Luis Valdez
Running Time: 108 minutes
Country: USA
Release Year: 1987
Rated: PG-13

Reviews

“This rousing foot-tapper from the pioneering American film-maker Luis Valdez is the definitive Eighties music biopic.” – Kevin Maher, The Times (UK)