Isaac Artenstein

Películas

A Long Journey: The Hidden Jews of the Southwest
Director
Stories of modern-day New Mexican Catholics, whose secret was their hidden Jewish roots.
A Day Without a Mexican
Producer
When a mysterious fog surrounds the boundaries of California, there is a communication breakdown and all the Mexicans disappear, affecting the economy and the state stops working missing the Mexican workers and dwellers.
Love Always
Producer
Julia, a struggling actress living in San Diego, hits the road after an ex-boyfriend in Spokane, WA, sends her a postcard proposing marriage.
The History of the Luiseño People
Producer
Based on his ever-changing performance Indian Tails, this video features Luna sitting alone in his darkened room in front of the TV on Christmas Eve. As he sits, he calls friends, family and ex-lovers, excusing himself from all their celebrations. Luna tells us, "In the work there is a thin line between what is fictional and what is non-fiction, and what is real emotion and what is art. … There is a cultural element where I let (or seem to let) people in on American Indian cultures. There are also elements in the work about American culture that everyone can identify with, and that makes for an understanding that we are all more alike than different."
The History of the Luiseño People
Director
Based on his ever-changing performance Indian Tails, this video features Luna sitting alone in his darkened room in front of the TV on Christmas Eve. As he sits, he calls friends, family and ex-lovers, excusing himself from all their celebrations. Luna tells us, "In the work there is a thin line between what is fictional and what is non-fiction, and what is real emotion and what is art. … There is a cultural element where I let (or seem to let) people in on American Indian cultures. There are also elements in the work about American culture that everyone can identify with, and that makes for an understanding that we are all more alike than different."
Son of Border Crisis
Director
In these seven short video performances directed by Isaac Artenstein, Gómez-Peña confronts Mexican-American culture clashes, stereotypes, and the Fourth World (immigrants). Speaking through a bullhorn or on the airwaves of mock-station Radio Latino FM, he broadcasts a message that will not be silenced. He delivers such comic comparisons as between “tacos without salsa” and “art without ideas” and such pointed statements as “thanks to marketing and not to civil rights, we are the new generation.” The taped monologues include Son of Border Crisis, El Post-Mojado, The Mexican Fly, Dear Californian, Employer Sanctions, The Year of the Yellow Spider, and The Year of the Hispanic.
Border Brujo
Editor
Border Brujo is a ritual-linguistic journey across the U.S./Mexico border written and performed by artist Guillermo Gómez-Peña. In the guise of a cross-cultural shaman, Gómez Peña shifts into 15 different personas, each speaking a different language. The personas are symbolic of the borders between North and South, Anglo and Latino; myth and reality; legality and illegality; art and life. Border Brujo assaults and exorcises the demons of dominant cultures. He articulates fear, desire, trauma sublimation, anger and misplacement embodying ruptured and defiant communities with multilingual dexterity and humor.
Border Brujo
Producer
Border Brujo is a ritual-linguistic journey across the U.S./Mexico border written and performed by artist Guillermo Gómez-Peña. In the guise of a cross-cultural shaman, Gómez Peña shifts into 15 different personas, each speaking a different language. The personas are symbolic of the borders between North and South, Anglo and Latino; myth and reality; legality and illegality; art and life. Border Brujo assaults and exorcises the demons of dominant cultures. He articulates fear, desire, trauma sublimation, anger and misplacement embodying ruptured and defiant communities with multilingual dexterity and humor.
Border Brujo
Director
Border Brujo is a ritual-linguistic journey across the U.S./Mexico border written and performed by artist Guillermo Gómez-Peña. In the guise of a cross-cultural shaman, Gómez Peña shifts into 15 different personas, each speaking a different language. The personas are symbolic of the borders between North and South, Anglo and Latino; myth and reality; legality and illegality; art and life. Border Brujo assaults and exorcises the demons of dominant cultures. He articulates fear, desire, trauma sublimation, anger and misplacement embodying ruptured and defiant communities with multilingual dexterity and humor.
Rompe el alba
Writer
A finales de la década de los veinte, Pedro J. González, el ex revolucionario y telegrafista de Pancho Villa, abandona México en compañía de su mujer para emigrar a la caótica y multirracial ciudad de Los Ángeles. Una vez allí, consigue trabajo en una estación radiodifusora como lector de anuncios dirigidos a los hispanos. Al poco tiempo, González tiene a su cargo un programa matutino, “Los madrugadores”, en el que interpreta baladas y corridos mexicanos. Su éxito y popularidad despiertan la codicia de algunos políticos norteamericanos, que pretenden usarlo con fines electorales en una época marcada por la depresión económica y las deportaciones masivas de inmigrantes. Sin embargo, el locutor decide utilizar su espacio para ayudar a los suyos, aunque ello signifique un desafío al poder establecido.
Rompe el alba
Director
A finales de la década de los veinte, Pedro J. González, el ex revolucionario y telegrafista de Pancho Villa, abandona México en compañía de su mujer para emigrar a la caótica y multirracial ciudad de Los Ángeles. Una vez allí, consigue trabajo en una estación radiodifusora como lector de anuncios dirigidos a los hispanos. Al poco tiempo, González tiene a su cargo un programa matutino, “Los madrugadores”, en el que interpreta baladas y corridos mexicanos. Su éxito y popularidad despiertan la codicia de algunos políticos norteamericanos, que pretenden usarlo con fines electorales en una época marcada por la depresión económica y las deportaciones masivas de inmigrantes. Sin embargo, el locutor decide utilizar su espacio para ayudar a los suyos, aunque ello signifique un desafío al poder establecido.
Los Rutas de Harry Crosby
Producer
Documental sobre el recorrido de Harry Crosby por Baja California.
Los Rutas de Harry Crosby
Director
Documental sobre el recorrido de Harry Crosby por Baja California.