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Emilio Estevez film "Bobby" stirs positive spirits in Bakersfield
Topics: RFK, Bobby, Estevez, Sheen, Bakersfield, Bakotopia, Bakotopia.com, music, Bakotunes, entertainment, Mas Magazine, NL Belardes, Chingpea, matt munoz
Posted by thenovelist Wed Nov 22, 2006 13:21:11 PST
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0 responses 6 comments I almost hate to say that the first person I saw other than Chingpea before the Bakersfield screening of Bobby was a puppet. But it’s true. I’d just parked and was wandering toward the front of Bakersfield’s Fox theatre when I heard a strange voice yell out, “Hey buddy, got a light?”

There was this puppet bird, his beak flapping just like his tiny wings in the darkness. “You like my wingspan? I’m a freakin’ Condor,” he yelped. I was pretty sure I was staring at a penguin, and a stuffed one at that. “Hey, you ever seen Hectic Films?” the bird asked.

“I’m going to see a screening of the new Emilio Estevez film. It dramatizes the death of Bobby Kennedy.” I didn’t have a light, but somehow the bird had lit a cigarette.

“Pphhew! I hate these goddam things,” he yapped. “I don’t know why I ever light em. Oh yeah, that the Bobby movie? I ain’t got tickets, so I figure to heck with em. I’ll just circle like a vulture and then head home after I lift a few wallets.”

“Sounds good.”

“Well check out Hectic Films at BIFF on November 24th and 25th. I’ll see ya. I gotta go scare some little kids.”

Soon enough, chingpea and I stood in line at the 1500 capacity Fox Theatre where I noticed prominent organizers of the UFW, college students and professors. We stood there until Matt Munoz, the Ska King of Bakotopia phoned. “Hey, I’m down here by Dagny’s. There’s a press conference.”

Chingpea and I jumped out of line. “OK, we’re on our way, but we lost our primo spot.”

“What? You got out of line? I was going it check it out first.”

We argued, sounding like some kind of Bakotopia/Paperback Writer married couple. But none to worry. We soon dove inside the Kern County Land Canal building—that’s where some of the old water wars took place. After all, if was John Maynard in his history, Bakersfield: A Centennial Portrait who wrote, “The story begins with water.”

We entered into a flood of reporters. Writer/Director of Bobby, Emilio Estevez leaned against a counter with the mortician actor from Six Feet Under, Freddy Rodriguez. Rodriguez sported a Johnny Depp look and attitude: a bit tough, a bit overly passionate—but cool as hell. Interesting that I just had a meeting with punk rock mortician Kenny ‘Motor’ Mount—Bakersfield’s real life mortician star. But that’s another story to be revealed at BIFF. (See Matildakay’s take on BIFF—she’ll hook ya…)

Reporters asked lots of questions during the press conference. They filmed, shot Web video, recorded audio; chingpea and I even shot some camera phone videos. (Click to see the Bakersfield Californian interviews with Emilio Estevez and Freddy Rodriguez). I even chimed in and asked Emilio after he talked about writing part of his screenplay in Pismo. I wanted to know about any historical works and historians who may have advised him during production, or while he wrote the screenplay. Estevez mentioned that he didn’t really have an advisor, or work with any historian specifically because the characters in the movie were all fictitious (except for the film footage of Bobby Kennedy). Estevez did say one person had been in touch with him. “Jack Newfield sent me a lot of information,” he said. He talked about fictitious characters and I stood thinking, Wow, I got to ask a movie star a question. Everyone seemed star struck.

(Read the full article)
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**Side note: My Thoughts...

It's always cool to be a part of a movie premiere here in Bakersfield, especially when the film connects strongly with the area.

To me, the star of the night wasn't Estevez or Rodriguez, it was UFW co-founder Dolores Huerta, present at The Ambassador the night RFK was gunned down. Knowing UFW history, and seeing a few glimpses of Dolores' face flash across the screen in the archival footage, really hit me. I immediately thought about her during those moments, thinking about what she was feeling.

So many causes struggling to survive in 1968, Americans just looking for equal rights and fairness, and their champion, Bobby Kennedy looking to make some positive changes on his way to the White House..

I wasn't even born yet, and my girlfriend was just an infant...I wonder what our parents were going through?

I asked Dolores Huerta what she thinking during the shooting re-enactment. She said she totally broke down, feeling all those hopes they had in 1968 being flushed down the tube all over again.

But, after the sadness passed, Dolores expressed hapiness... Earlier in the day, she attended a groundbreaking ceremony back at the site of The Ambassador Hotel in downtown Los Angeles, where a new school was to be built in RFK's honor. No longer a place of sadness, but a place of life and education for LA's underprivileged kids.

"Bobby," as a film was okay, but it was the lesson I learned watching the archival footage and seeing real-life heroes like Dolores Huerta still going strong even after the strong blow America was dealt in 1968, that made the strongest impact.

I recommend the film, but after you leave the theater, GO find RFK's speeches and listen to the message...

Thanks,

Matt

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Comment From: MaryEdith

Okay, HOW does one get "connected" in this town??? I would have loved to go see this on The 20th, had NO IDEA it was even happening!!! Help, apparently I am completely out of the loop!!! Comment From: thenovelist

Get in the loop, sista. Except it might make ya loopy... lol. Comment From: matt

Like I always tell the locals...Bakotopia's got the loopedyloop! Peace! Comment From: twinkie

WOW! Great article, great message. The loopey loopdey twins rock! Comment From: chingpea

that was one interesting night... fun and emotionally spirited. i was happy to be included in the moment. Comment From: thenovelist

I bought you popcorn and saved you from a black widow attack. Will I ever be seranaded by Mento Booschmoo??? Just kidding. Such an inspiring evening. I can say I took a walk with Dolores Huerta. And that's an honor.