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American Pachuco: The Legend of Luis Valdez

Play trailer American Pachuco: The Legend of Luis Valdez 2026 1h 32m Biography Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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Tomatometer 8 Reviews Popcornmeter 0 Ratings
From founding a revolutionary theater troupe alongside César Chávez to bringing the Mexican American experience to mainstream America with Zoot Suit and La Bamba, Luis Valdez has become the godfather of Chicano theater and film, breaking boundaries and expanding America’s story.

Critics Reviews

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Jordan Mintzer The Hollywood Reporter 4d
Understanding the life and work of Luis Valdez is a way to broaden one’s understanding of what it means to be American, perhaps now more than ever. Watching this enlightening and entertaining documentary is a good way to start. Go to Full Review Carlos Aguilar Variety 4d
As much as the doc is explicitly celebratory, its existence is inherently a political statement, just like Valdez’s oeuvre. To spotlight a Mexican American pioneer who still stands proud in all the nuances of his identity feels necessarily defiant. Go to Full Review Jake Cole IndieWire 5d
B-
Archival footage shows Valdez as an energetic presence in theaters and the frontlines of civil rights protests, and he retains much of that spry quality in the present as an 84-year-old gregariously telling his life story. Go to Full Review Rosa Parra The Latino Slant 1d
9/10
American Pachuco: The Legend of Luis Valdez is a daring Chicano documentary that explores the life of a director who is considered the godfather of Chicano cinema. Go to Full Review Kathia Woods Cup of Soul 3d
8/10
Luis Valdez's story isn't just about the past. It's a plan for the revolution that is still going on. Go to Full Review Gregory Nussen Screen Rant 4d
6/10
David Alvarado's loving and truly joyous portrait of Valdez is as big and as exciting as the man's theatrical output, but it is also frustratingly topographical and abrupt. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Cast & Crew

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David Alvarado

Director

Edward James Olmos

Narrator

David Alvarado

Screenwriter

David Alvarado

Producer

Lauren DeFilippo

Producer

Everett Katigbak

Producer
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American Pachuco: The Legend of Luis Valdez

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Movie Info

Synopsis From founding a revolutionary theater troupe alongside César Chávez to bringing the Mexican American experience to mainstream America with Zoot Suit and La Bamba, Luis Valdez has become the godfather of Chicano theater and film, breaking boundaries and expanding America’s story.
Director
David Alvarado
Producer
David Alvarado, Lauren DeFilippo, Everett Katigbak, Amanda Pollak
Screenwriter
David Alvarado
Production Co
Insignia Films
Genre
Biography, Documentary
Original Language
English
Runtime
1h 32m