December 13, 2023

Following Push by Congressman Castro and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, ¡Alambrista! Selected for National Film Registry

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) released the following statement after the Library of Congress selected his nomination, ¡Alambrista!, for inclusion in the National Film Registry. Earlier this year, Congressman Castro and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) nominated ¡Alambrista! and more than two dozen Latino-driven films for the National Film Registry as part of an ongoing campaign to highlight Latino contributions to American media and culture. The nominations were selected from more than 500 public suggestions from across the United States.

“For years, I’ve worked to help increase Latino representation in the larger American narrative,” said Congressman Joaquin Castro. “Latinos make up nearly 20 percent of our country’s population, but Hollywood often fails to represent us on screen, which contributes to stereotypes and misunderstandings about who we are. I am so proud to see ¡Alambrista!, a film that highlights the strength and resilience of a young undocumented farmworker in California, selected for preservation in the National Film Registry. Recognition like this opens the door for future generations of Latino talent and stories. I’m looking forward to continuing my work with the Library of Congress and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus to showcase the Latino-driven films that have had an enduring impact on Americans.”

¡Alambrista!, directed by Robert M. Young, follows the story of a young Mexican man who migrates to California to find farm work to provide for his family back home and the struggles he faces while there.

In previous years, Congressman Castro and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus successfully nominated Selena (1997) and The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez (1982), the classic western that led Edward James Olmos to become the first Mexican American to be nominated for an Academy Award.

The National Film Registry is the nation’s preeminent archive of films. Established by the National Film Preservation Act, the Registry is intended to maintain and preserve works of films deemed culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant to life in the United States. On an annual basis, the National Film Preservation Board selects 25 films to add to the registry and preserve in the Library of Congress.

In October, Congressman Castro nominated 35 songs and albums for inclusion to the Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry, which were also cultivated from a public call. The Library of Congress is expected to announce the National Recording Registry selection in Spring 2024. 

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