Song for Cesar a documentary film with a unique view of the life and legacy of Cesar Chavez and the farmworker movement. The film tells a previously untold story about the musicians and artists – including Joan Baez, Maya Angelou, and Carlos Santana, among others – who dedicated their time, creativity and even reputations to peacefully advance Cesar Chavez’s movement to gain equality and justice for America’s suffering farmworkers. The documentary also explores other facets of Cesar’s life – from childhood to his final days – revelations that, until now, have not been shared on screen.
Social Justice. Equality. Compassion. Perseverance.

Official Trailer • Song for Cesar
''Non-violence is not inaction. It is not discussion. It is not for the timid or weak...Non-violence is hard work. It is the willingness to sacrifice. It is the patience to win''
– Cesar Chavez
The core values of social justice, equality, compassion, and perseverance.
The power, importance, and effectiveness of non-violent and peaceful protest
The use of education, talent, creativity, and self-sacrifice to help improve the lives of others.
The art of organizing to give a voice to those without one.
SI SE PUEDE!
“Yes, it can be done.”
Song for Cesar was inspired by a man, a song and a poet.
Abel Sanchez and Jorge Santana wrote the lyrics and the music to “Song for Cesar” as a tribute to the legacy of Cesar Chavez and the movement he created. They put the words to music and set the song to a short video infused with iconic images of musicians and artists working side-by-side with Cesar to give voice to struggling farmworkers. And then, they shared it with Maya Angelou.
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Ways to participate
The ultimate goal of Song for Cesar is to educate and inspire. Now more than ever, people struggle for justice and to be heard. Much can be learned by recalling Cesar’s brave and peaceful movement that lifted oppressed farmworkers and their families out of unfathomable conditions and created a movement that lives on today.
Will you help educate and inspire our communities by supporting Song for Cesar?
You can help by:
- Following us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter and sharing Song for Cesar’s messages.
- Donating to help ensure Song for Cesar and its message of hope can be widely shared.
- Joining our mailing list to sign up for updates on events and premieres.
See what others are saying
“Song for Cesar” does more than most films can do. It entertains, inspires, challenges but also opens the viewer so Cesar Chavez’s life, courage and wisdom can be absorbed into oneself. This cinema magic comes from the musical storytelling that Sanchez and Alegria present with gusto, sensitivity, love and power. This is Chicano history expanded…
Abel Sanchez and Jorge Santana have added music to a story of Cesar Chavez and it’s really a song for Cesar. The piece is so moving that I can’t wait for it to be in the clear possession of everybody, Black, and White, Latino, and Asian, Native American, all of us we should have it.