Weaving the Past: Journey of Discovery

"Weaving the Past" is a lovingly wrought and remarkable film that artfully knits together both the director's journey to discover the true story of his grandfather Emilio's hidden past and his own journey through identity crisis to self discovery.

I loved the quick transitions from current situations in the director's journey to mirroring similar situations his grandfather might have been going through 100 years earlier.

The episodes that detail Emilio's involvement with journalist and revolutionary Práxedis Guerrero and his sometimes violent actions that helped to build momentum for the Mexican Revolution and overthrow of Porfirio Díaz's exploitive, autocratic regime are some of the most fascinating and they put Emilio's life in vivid historical context. It also makes us appreciate Emilio's rescue by a Methodist minister and transformation from revolutionary to man of God all the more. The commentary on the US sometimes covert involvement in the Revolution is also revealing.

The distant family members he meets create a fascinating group portrait that's a multi-faceted reflection of how nature and nurture weave together to make each of us who we are.

There's much to appreciate in Dominguez' film – many story lines and the director's relentless searching for answers propel us forward as they are woven together.

Faith, family, real-life heroes, tragedy and redemption, "Weaving the Past" has it all!

Weaving the Past is an engrossing and emotionally satisfying cinematic journey, chronicling one man's search for any information he can find about his late grandfather. Walter Dominguez grew up with a loving and nurturing grandparent whom he called "Tata." THe Reverend Emilio Hernandez passed away just as Dominguez was reaching adulthood and years later, he succumbed to his yearning to discover more about the man who had been so important to his childhood. Dominguez documents his search in a film that is a rich tapestry of stunning visuals and moving narrative. The viewer will be swept up in this virtual detective story that leads Dominguez into the heart of Mexico. What he finds there changes him and his view of his late grandfather forever. One cannot help becoming emotionally invested in Walter Dominguez's search for the heart and soul of an extraordinary man. Weaving the Past is not to be missed.

"Weaving the Past: Journey of Discovery" a full-length documentary movingly tells the story of the personal quest of writer/director, Walter Dominguez, as he searched for the story of his late maternal grandfather, Rev. Emilio Hernandez, a Methodist pastor in Santa Paula, California. The story was both intriguing and educational, and narrated by Dominguez, I was pulled into a story about a young child, wandering alone in pre-revolutionary Mexico; a child being taken in by wealthy hacienda owners, cared for and influenced to join into the struggle for the rights of indigenous people; a young man ill and impoverished in Los Angeles; and the transformation of Emilio Hernandez into a Protestant preacher in California.

As a native Californian, I was stunned by how little I was ever taught or learned about our neighboring country, Mexico, and about the lives of those who migrated to and contributed so much to California. Walter Dominguez uses re-enactments, interviews, photos, film journeys, and documents from extensive research to keep this obvious labor of love and atonement fascinating. The documentary has interesting elements for any viewer but especially any Californian, immigrants or their descendants, and lovers of good film. As a retired college administrator, I have recommended "Weaving the Past: Journey of Discovery" to my family and high school and college educators, who are looking for authentic stories of personal courage, perseverance, love, and battles for justice and freedom. Bravo to Walter Dominguez for giving us this story.

Weaving the Past is a most unusual and satisfying film. The combination between documentation and dramatization pulled me in and held me throughout. The film challenged me to ask many questions about connections existing in my own life and in my relationship with my ancestors. In many ways, this film has a real resonance with those raised in more traditional societies, like mine, where the past and its people are never really dead and gone, but continue to live. The film documents the journey that filmmaker Walter Dominguez takes to learn about his own grandfather's early life - a mysterious and cloudy past. He also determines to locate his grandfather's family of origin in Mexico. Along the way we learn much Mexican and U.S. Southwest history that is essential to understand the context of the life of Emilio Hernandez, Walter's grandfather, a Mexican-born crusader for social justice among immigrant workers. Walter takes us along as he interviews expert historians in the U.S. and Mexico, as well as a collection of ordinary, but truly compelling people he meets who either knew Emilio or knew the people who influence Emilio as a young man. The re-creation scenes of key moments in the relationship of Emilio with the people in his life who deeply influenced him worked so well to get you involved and caring about Emilio and his life. They were some of the film's most touching moments.

There is so much to recommend this film. For those who have a strong interest in reconnecting with their own roots and ancestors, this documentary will leave you inspired and energized to go on your own journey. There is much important and little-known history that you learn along the way. The tragic mistreatment of Mexico's indigenous people is a story that I did not know about, but which left me very moved and personally affected in a deep way. I am so glad that Dominguez told this story, because it really needs to be revealed. There are other stories within this film that will rivet you, too.

Most importantly, there is a deep spirituality that emanates from the film which is not about doctrine or formal religion. Though Dominguez's grandfather eventually became a Methodist minister, and there is some interesting history revealed about this, the real meaning is much deeper. It really is a "universal" film that can touch you on many levels - whatever your background. You will really feel this story in your soul and it will stick with you. I hope you take the opportunity to see this beautifully made and meaningful documentary.

"Weaving the Past: Journey of Discovery," a truly amazing documentary written by Walter Dominguez and Executive Produced by Shelley Morrison ("Rosario" from Will & Grace) that my family and I had the wonderful opportunity to watch; one that definitely made a positive and nostalgic impression in all our hearts. Watching "Weaving the Past: Journey of Discovery," transported us through this inexplicable journey and Walter's labor of love, giving me an unexpected desire to make my own journey of discovery and learn more about my ancestry. This well documented personal family story and 13-year journey is one of admiration. His quest to learn more about his grandfather and all the unanswered questions he needed answers to were visibly seen and felt through this film. His voraciousness for it all unknowingly made me realize that everyone present shared a common denominator: the importance of family lineage and how we must strive to continue carrying on those specific family traits we at times become oblivious to. It was with tears while watching the film that I realized how nonchalant I have been regarding the importance of family, what unfortunate struggles my own family might have gone through and most importantly what part of them I carry in me without me even knowing it. I strongly encourage EVERYONE to make it a point to see this documentary, to have the remarkable experience to also be transported and to maybe open a door to one's family history no one ever fathomed to enter until now. Because of this personal experience in watching the film, it compelled me to begin a brief search into my family's past and have been blessed to encounter with members of my own family I had never had knowledge about; being left with uncovered surprises I still have to go through. Please don't miss this riveting experience and remarkable film, if anything, it will undoubtedly touch your heart and make you appreciate family more...