Life Cycles: Reflections of Change and A New Hope for Future Generations

*VIDEO COLLECTION* “*Cultural Crossings” is a collection of short videos created by Jacalyn Lopez Garcia in collaboration with DJ Rex, Darren J. de Léon, Carlos Garcia, and Laura Araujo-Salinas. In its entirety (12 minutes), this collection is intended to exemplify the artists' interests in bringing together some of the interviews, personal narratives, and photographic imagery taken from Jacalyn Lopez Garcia's documentary project, “Life Cycles: Reflections of Change and A New Hope for Future Generations*.” In a unique way, each video points to a poetic vision of the forgotten, but vital immigrant experiences of Mexican/Mexican-American/Chicano families and their unique, inspiring and difficult life-struggle to attain a better life. To view a video simply click on the image to the right. The recommended viewing order is listed below.

“*2 Hearts 1 Pain*” - Running time: 45 sec A mother and daughter reveal the truth about the complexities of their fears as they relate to identity issues from a “Mexican and Mexican-American” perspective. Music by DJ REX, photography and videography by Jacalyn Lopez Garcia.

“*River of Dreams” - Running Time: 2 min Jose Alfredo Jimenez, a Mexican composer and singer, reminds us in one “ranchera” that in life's journey the purpose is not to finish first, it is to learn how to get there. “River of Dreams” attempts to capture the spirit of the adolescent newcomer upon arriving at this strange, yet oddly familiar, new world with a poem “Finding Tomorrow*” by Laura Araujo-Salinas, music by DJ REX and videography by Jacalyn Lopez Garcia. Collectively the artists reveal the courage, strength, and perseverance demanded of these teenagers on their way toward their dreams.

“*Art of Balance*” - Running Time: 3 min 30 sec This short video closely examines a Coachella Valley artists' desire to balance his art career and family obligations, as a young father, with a more “honest” and “truthful” way of living. Music by DJ REX, photography and videography by Jacalyn Lopez Garcia.

“Sueños del Norte” - Running Time: 3 min This narrative poem and video is based on the movement north by an undocumented immigrant whose journey is filled with dangerous conditions, armed vigilantes, and death, all done in the name of work and survival. As the character moves north, water moves south and both converge at the intersections of survival, work, dreams of success, and memories of a life left behind. Poem by Darren J. de Léon, music by DJ REX, photography and videography by Jacalyn Lopez Garcia.

“*Backyard Blessings*” - Running Time: 2 min 30 sec Sometimes “it takes a village” to remind one of what could be missing from one's life. In the style of reportage, Carlos Garcia narrates his short story about a religious ceremony performed in a suburban Latino family's backyard. It critically examines the role religion plays in shaping one's identity and includes original music by DJ REX, and still photography by Jacalyn Lopez Garcia.