Rudolfo Anaya: The Magic of Words

Rudolfo Anaya: The Magic Of Words is a 26-minute documentary film on the life and writing of one of the founders of Chicano literature. About the film: The producer/director of Rudolfo Anaya: The Magic Of Words, David Ellis, first met the author almost twenty years ago while making another film on New Mexico – Land of Enchantment, broadcast by The Disney Channel. He interviewed Rudolfo Anaya for that film and found him to be fascinating and eloquent, the perfect subject for a film, himself. Many years later, when Ellis was looking for a subject for another New Mexico project, he approached Anaya who enthusiastically agreed to work with the filmmaker on this documentary. The first scenes filmed were interviews with Anaya in Albuquerque, New Mexico; other interviews followed with literary scholars and the writer’s friends – in Los Angeles, Albuquerque and Las Cruces, New Mexico. Finally, footage was added of New Mexico’s magnificent landscape, historic film from the 1960s and family photos.

Middle school and high school students can learn a great deal from Anaya’s inspiring life. His personal story demonstrates that while our lives can be sometimes unpredictable and unfair, hard work, determination and education can help overcome even the most difficult life experiences. The program features interviews with Anaya and his wife Patricia and friends and colleagues. Other scenes include footage of the endless plains of eastern New Mexico where Anaya grew up; dramatic reenactments from Anaya’s childhood; a visit to an Albuquerque herbal healer, and film of New Mexico’s magnificent landscape. Rudolfo Anaya: The Magic Of Words is a vital reference to the Hispanic culture of New Mexico. While Anaya’s cultural identity is drawn from his experiences growing up in the American Southwest, his stories transcend time and place and are invaluable in understanding the quest of all people for cultural identity, recognition and mutual respect.