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.

Thank goodness for documentaries with heart and soul! "Weaving the Past: Journey of Discovery" has that and more as director/writer Walter Dominguez takes us along on his personal journey to uncover the past of his late maternal grandfather, Reverend Emilio Hernandez, and fulfill his grandfather's request to reunite his Mexican and American-born families that have been separated for over 100 years. Through his special brand of story telling, Dominguez invites the audience to join in his discoveries that connects him with his past and current family.

I personally loved this film because it's not your run of the mill documentary churning out historical facts, recounting history through standard still photo's and talking heads. While the film includes these elements, Dominguez weaves his family's personal stories of love, friendship, tragedy, faith and redemption into a larger story about the Mexican revolution, which makes you care because you know the players.

"Weaving the Past" is really a spiritual search that takes us on a 12-year odyssey. Motivated by a mid-life crisis brought on by the tumultuous aftermath of September 11, 2001 and Dominguez's struggle to come to terms with his own mortality, we see how one man's need to make amends to his grandfather turns into an archetypical homecoming.

The film begins with Dominguez retracing his grandfather's history as a Methodist minister in the bucolic community of Santa Paula, California. We quickly learn that his grandfather, Emilio Hernandez or "Tata" (as the director affectionately refers to him) has a darker past.

Through impressive research and tireless determination, Dominguez follows his grandfather's journey from an orphaned child to a participant in the Mexican Revolution. In his effort to find more about his grandfather, Dominguez also uncovers a crucial but unsung hero of the revolution - Praxedis Guerrero. Guerrero's family (specifically Praxedis' sister Cliotilde) took in the young Emilio who was found wandering through the rugged hills near the Guerrero's hacienda. Cliotilde becomes a key figure in Emilio's personal life, while Praxedis and Emilio later become close friends and compatriots for the cause of human rights in Mexico.

Throughout the film we are treated with a cast of remarkable and touching characters, re- enactments and an extremely vital part of Mexican and American history that is so topical in the world we are currently living in regarding immigration, class and race. This is a history lesson that all Americans should know more about, especially those living in this great state of California.

As a viewer, we are reminded of the societal imbalances that still affect our society today. Are not the topics of murder, rape and enslavement of the poor still issues Mexico (and other countries across the globe) is dealing with more then 100 years after the movies hero, Emilio Hernandez crossed the borders of Mexico and the U.S.? Even in present day America, are we not dealing with the issue of the majority of the wealth being controlled by an elite few while the middle class wilts and dies?

The players are different today, but the director of "Weaving the Past" eloquently explains this historical significance and how American capitalists participated in and profited from Mexico's abuse of the poor.

By sharing his grandfather's story with us, the audience is brought into the awareness of our common humanity regardless of race. The movie takes its time to unfold, but the poignant and moving reveal at the end is well worth it. As I mentioned at the beginning of this review, this documentary is not your standard fare. When is the last time you were laughing and crying watching a documentary because you were so moved by the people and the stories? I highly recommend you take this amazing journey with Mr. Dominguez.

This film shows us the interconnectedness we have through history. It details the messy steps an historian must take to discover the "truths" about his grandfather. In sharing this endeavor, Walter Dominguez shows us the personal is political and previous "academic" attempts at objectivity should be thrown out with other red herrings.

A beautiful love letter to his ancestors.

"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...