About Walkout (HBO)

"Walkout" is a powerful drama film released in 2006 on HBO. It is based on the true story of the 1968 East L.A. walkouts when Chicano students marched to protest the injustices and inequalities in the Los Angeles Unified School District. Directed by Edward James Olmos, the movie showcases the courageous story of students standing up for their rights, inspiring future generations to fight for equality.

Making / Production

"Walkout" was directed by Edward James Olmos. The screenplay was written by Marcus De Leon, Ernie Contreras, and Timothy J. Sexton. The film was produced by Lisa Bruce, Moctesuma Esparza, and David S. Ward and released by HBO films.

Actors

• Alexa PenaVega as Paula Crisostomo: She excellently portrays the determined and passionate highschool student who becomes the activist leading the walkouts.
• Michael Peña as Sal Castro: He brilliantly plays the role of the social studies teacher who motivates and guides the students in their fight for rights.
• Yancey Arias as Moctesuma Esparza: Arias portrays the character of the then UCLA student who helps organize the protests and later produced the film based on his experiences.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The movie is based on a true story of actual student protests held in East L.A schools in the year 1968.
• The director, Edward James Olmos also plays the role of Julian Nava in the film. Julian Nava was the first Mexican-American to be elected to the LA Board of Education.
• Moctesuma Esparza, a student leader of the protest, is one of the film's producers.

Awards

The film was nominated for the Outstanding Television Movie category in the 2007 ALMA Awards and won the Image Award for Outstanding Director in Television Movie, Mini-Series.

Quotes

• "The only way things are going to change for us is when we change them ourselves." - Paula Crisostomo
• "What do you see when you look in the mirror? You see somebody special. You see a leader." - Sal Castro

Music, Soundtrack

• The dramatic and compelling music for "Walkout" was composed by Luchi De Jesus.
• The music for the movie perfectly enhances the emotional depth and cultural vibe of the storyline.