The Documentary Film
The documentary project was inspired by a struggle, a song and a poet.
In 2004, Abel Sanchez wrote the lyrics and the music to “A Song for Cesar” and Jorge Santana added the soaring guitar solo as a tribute to the legacy of the farmworker movement, the United Farm Workers Union, and most of all the farmworkers and their families. 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 young union organizers to give voice to struggling farmworkers.
Soon after, Abel shared the “Song for Cesar” video with his life-long friend, the esteemed poet Maya Angelou. Upon viewing it, Ms. Angelou told Abel that the story of the farmworkers and the musicians who elevated this peaceful movement must be shared with world more thoroughly – by way of a full documentary.
The film would serve to educate generations old and new about the farm workers legacy of impactful, peaceful protest and how perseverance, coupled with artistic inspiration, could help change the world for the better. Ms. Angelou told Abel that this was not just his song, but that it was also her song, and everybody’s song. She insisted that Abel promise to make the film – which he did. With his deepest respect and admiration for her, there was no way Abel would deny fulfilling his vow to this remarkable woman.
Abel and his partner Andres Alegria then embarked upon creating the documentary “A Song for Cesar: The Music and The Movement” in what would become a 15-year labor of love.
