Red Gringo

Sunday October 27 1:00 p.m.
Speed Art Museum's Speed Cinema

Introduction: Dr. Tricia Gray, Department of Political Sciences
Acting Director, Latin Am. & Latino Studies

Thursday November 7 5:00 p.m.
Floyd Theater

Storyline

Reminiscent of Waiting for Sugarman, director Miguel Ángel Vidaurre’s self-described “pop memory exercise” follows North American singer Dean Reed’s surprising and unlikely political transformation after learning of the brutality and repression of U.S.-supported regimes in South America.

Born in Lakewood, Colorado, Dean attempted to conquer the American music industry with his voice and charisma. His songs found modest success in the U.S. but became massive hits in Latin America. In 1962, with hopes of cashing in on his international popularity, Reed tours South America, where he undergoes a political awakening that earned him the nickname “Red Elvis.”

Making magnificent use of never seen old photographs, interviews, concert footage, and other unpublished material, Red Gringo sheds light on what was really happening in Latin America during the Cold War.

 

Presented in collaboration with the Speed Art Museum's Speed Cinema and
as part of The Spanish Film Club series with the support Pragda, and the Embassy of Spain in Washington DC, Spain-USA Foundation. Special thanks to the Secretary of State for Culture of Spain.
Thanks to the support of the Film Committee, Student Activity Board, University of Louisville