The Last Zapatista

Produced by Susan Lloyd. 30 min. Color. 1996. Available as: VHS and DVD Captioned: No Catalog #: 0115 Order this title Sale Price: $195.00 Apply for Discount

This remarkable documentary examines the profound and enduring legacy of Emiliano Zapata in contemporary Mexico. The film focuses on Emeterio Pantaleon, a 97-year-old Mexican farmer and one of the last living veterans who fought with Zapata during the Mexican Revolution of 1910 to 1920.

Emeterio remembers the Revolution's call for tierra y libertad as he struggles on his corn field in Morelos. Recent legislation to privatize traditional community lands is destroying the communal farming system that Zapata promoted and fought for, and all over Mexico campesinos are being forced to sell their lands.

But Emeterio will not surrender his ideals, stubbornly riding out to tend his fields even as his own sons emigrate to the U.S. And Emeterio is not alone in his struggle, for a new generation of Zapatistas in Chiapas is also fighting to regain communal lands and in so doing is bringing renewed hope to Emeterio and millions of other beleaguered Mexican farmers.

This dramatic and poetic film is a tribute to Mexico's campesinos. It portrays their ongoing struggle for the land while also relating the now-legendary story of the folk hero Zapata. Near-mystical beliefs about Zapata are recounted in interviews with farmers, still-living Zapata family members, and members of the Mexican government who actively try to co-opt his myth and legend.

Highlighted by rare archival footage of Zapata and the Mexican Revolution, "The Last Zapatista" demonstrates that the heritage and ideals of zapatismo will drive Mexico's agrarian struggle long into the future.

"The Last Zapatista" is essential viewing for any course in Mexican history or culture, Latin American studies, cultural anthropology, or development issues. It was produced by Susan Lloyd.

Reviews

"This is the first film to tell the true story of my father and the untold struggle for the land in Mexico today." -- Ana Maria Zapata, daughter of Emiliano Zapata

"This film has had an overwhelming response in my classes in Latin American history. It brings home to students the reality of Zapata's heritage in a way that no lecture or reading could ever do. Poignant and compelling, it is an important educational tool for a wide variety of classes in history and Latin American studies." -- Stephanie Wood, Prof. of History, Univ. of Oregon

"A vital and vitally relevant film for American audiences today, rich in insight and historical context for understanding the present political and economic crisis in Mexico. The film is an excellent teaching tool; it clearly shows the connections between Mexico's revolutionary past and its present, doing so in a way that humanizes the struggle and its participants. It will remain crucially important for the forseeable future. -- John Foran, Prof. of Sociology, Univ. of California, Santa Barbara

Awards

• Latin American Studies Assn. Award of Merit
• Cine Latino Film Festival honoree
• CineFestival San Antonio honoree
• Latino Film and Video Festival honoree
• Northwest Film and Video Festival honoree