February 20, 2018
Filmmaker Peter Bratt is upcoming Lou Douglas Lecture speaker
Award-winning screenwriter and independent filmmaker Peter Bratt will present his most recent film, "Dolores," at an event co-sponsored by the Kansas State University Lou Douglas Lecture Series on Public Issues and the Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art.
The program at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 22, in the K-State Alumni Center Banquet Room will include the film screening as well as time for Bratt to discuss his film and interact with the audience. "Dolores" follows the life of Dolores Huerta, following her struggles to achieve racial and labor justice as she helped found the United Farm Workers Movement.
"Dolores" is Bratt's first documentary film, and builds on his successes with award-winning feature films such as "La Mission." Working with the musical legend Carlos Santana as a producer, Bratt and his creative team reveal the tireless work of a woman who dedicated her life to social justice and change. In addition to her organizing efforts, Huerta lobbied for legislation to protect and improve working conditions for farm workers, including repeal of the Bracero Program, which she and United Farm Workers co-founder Cesar Chavez felt exploited Mexicans and harmed U.S. farm workers.
In his film work, Bratt has explored the intersecting perspectives and struggles of Chicanos, African-Americans and Native Americans. His contributions come widely praised and awarded. "Dolores" earned the Audience Award for Best Documentary Feature at the San Francisco Film Festival and received a 20-minute standing ovation following the premiere at the Sundance Film Festival.
The Lou Douglas Lecture Series honors the memory of Lou Douglas, a distinguished professor of political science at K-State from 1949-1977. Douglas was widely known for his power to inspire students, faculty and citizens to instigate change. He was one of the founders of UFM Community Learning Center, which this year celebrates 50 years of serving the Manhattan community. After his death in 1979, the organization established a lecture series in his name. More information is available at tryufm.org/lou-douglas/.