The Historic Fillmore Theater will open its doors on October 15, 2022 for a FREE screening of the movie “ . . . and the earth did not swallow him”. The movie is a portrait of the life of a poor Mexican American boy and his migrant farm worker family as they struggle to adjust to life in American society. Many of the scenes were filmed in nearby Piru.

Adapted from the novel “. . . y no se lo trago la tierra”, written by Tomas Rivera and published in 1971, the film was produced for American Playhouse, PBS’s weekly drama series. Tomas Rivera was once a migrant worker, and later went on to become the highest ranking Mexican American in higher education as the Chancellor of the University of California, Riverside. It is truly an inspiring film.

October 15 is also the last day of National Hispanic American Heritage Month 2022. The film is dedicated to the Mexican American Community in Fillmore. There will be two free showings: A matinee at 4:00 p.m., and a 6:00 p.m. showing. The 6:00 p.m. showing will also feature the Los Rayos Mariachi band, and many of the actors in the film will be available for a Meet & Greet, and will be available to answer any questions about the movie. Free popcorn will be available.

Author, Tomas Rivera, was himself a migrant worker as a child, and later went on to become the highest ranking Mexican American in higher education as the Chancellor of the University of California, Riverside. Told through the eyes of Marcos, a twelve-year-old boy, the film emphasizes Marcos’ desire to educate himself. Through its many human stories of growing up as a Mexican American, the story exposes the rich cultural traditions which have given shape to life in the American Southwest.