Dolores

Dolores (2017) is a powerful documentary that tells the story of Dolores Huerta, a fierce advocate for racial and labor justice, who fought tirelessly for gender equality within the farm worker's union she helped establish with Cesar Chavez. The film takes the audience on a journey through Dolores' life, from her early days as a young mother and wife, to her rise as a leading figure in the labor movement. Through beautifully woven footage and interviews, the documentary sets the record straight on one of the most undervalued civil and labor rights leaders in modern U.S. history. The film starts with Dolores' early life, growing up in California in the 1940s and 50s, and her desire to make a difference in her community. She meets Fred Ross, a community organizer who introduces her to Cesar Chavez, and together they start the United Farm Workers of America. Dolores becomes a powerful force in the movement, organizing strikes and boycotts, and lobbying for legislation to protect farm workers' rights. As she gains recognition, Dolores realizes that gender inequality is still prevalent within the union, which leads to conflicts with her male counterparts. Despite this setback, she continues her fight for justice, leading marches and rallies while balancing motherhood and three marriages. Her unwavering dedication leads to major successes for the UFW, including contracts with farm owners and increased awareness of workers' rights. The film also explores personal challenges faced by Dolores Huerta such as an assassination attempt on her life, hospitalization due to police brutality, losing her friend and ally Cesar Chavez and being forced out of UFW leadership. Showing the broad extent of sexism within the organization she once led. Despite these challenges, Huerta continues to fight for what she believes in, using her voice and platform to push for change. In 2002, she starts her own foundation, The Dolores Huerta Foundation, connecting all the issues she cares about under one umbrella. Through intimate interviews with Dolores herself, as well as those who have worked alongside her throughout her career, this film sheds light on an important yet often overlooked figure in American history - Dolores provides a thorough examination into the sacrifice, perseverance, determination; but most importantly you get to see firsthand how Dolores utilized her entire life to fight for social justice movements that are still going strong today.

You can stream Dolores on:

Some movies that have similar genres and were produced around the same time as Dolores include Hip Hop-eration, On Putin's Blacklist, T-Rex, Iris, Salam Neighbor, Three Identical Strangers.