I’m thrilled to share that PBS SoCal, Southern California’s flagship PBS station, has announced that its original Emmy® award-winning arts and culture documentary series ARTBOUND will kick off its fifteenth season on Friday, Oct. 4, at 8 p.m. PT with a documentary I’m grateful to have written and directed, “The Cheech.” This project has been a dream from start to finish, both because of its compelling subject matter and the meaningful contributions of my collaborators.
Larry Laboe, Executive Director of NewFilmmakers Los Angeles (https://www.newfilmmakersla.com), and my good friend, recommended me to the producers of “Artbound.” At the time, I was deep into production with “Janis Ian: Breaking Silence.” Gratefully, a year later, they circled back and asked if I’d be interested in directing a documentary about Cheech Marin, a passionate collector of Chicano Art, and his influence on its rise. I’m so glad I said, “Yes.”
Produced by Alessandra Pasquino under the banner of her production company GroundStorm Media (groundstormmedia.com) and PBS SoCal Senior Producer Nic Cha Kim, “The Cheech” highlights Cheech Marin, his passion for collecting Chicano Art, a group of extraordinary Chicano Artists he has inspired, and the critical touchpoints in their creative journey.
Cheech Marin resides at the center of the documentary, setting the tone for the piece. He shares personal insights, provides a historical context, and bridges the Chicano Artists’ stories with memories of first seeing their art and the impressions they made on him.
Featured artists include:
Vincent Valdez | Patssi Valdez | Judy Baca | John Valadez | Cici Segura Gonzales | Sandy Rodriguez | Manuel Lopez | Michael Alvarez | Alfonso Gonzales | Jaime Muñoz.
The documentary also highlights critical touch points in every artist’s professional journey with insights from:
Los Angeles Museum’s Executive Director, Michael Govan | Riverside Museum’s Executive Director, Drew Oberjuerge | The Cheech Curator, Maria Esther Fernandez | Gallery Owner, Jeffrey Deitch | Gallery Owner, Charlie James
A big shout-out to my key creative collaborators on this project.
Director of Photography, Matthew Wilder (http://matthewshoichiwilder.com) | Editor, Edgar Sardarian (https://www.metromarcel.com) | Composer, Ameya Saraf (https://ameyasaraf.com) | Gaffers, Justin Phillip (https://www.youtube.com/c/JustinPhillip) and Hao Yu (https://www.imdb.com/name/nm7459357) | Production Sound Mixer, Robert Stronger (https://www.instagram.com/robertstronger) | Second Camera/First AC Anthony Suy (https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5567904)| Post Sound Designer/Mixer Daniel Teo (https://www.danielteo.net).
Shot in six days, this one-hour documentary includes 16 speaking roles, 13 locations, countless works of art, and infinite love. Thanks everyone!