Million Miles Away was the film of choice for Chabot’s movie night, organized by El Centro as part of the celebrations for Hispanic Heritage Month. The event was held on September 28, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., at the campus event center. The screening was one of many events scheduled for the month-long celebration of Latino Heritage at Chabot.
EL Centro providing the snacks for the attendees
Staff Photographer: Michael Sykes
The Million Miles Away movie is a motivational film that depicts the true story of José Fernández, played by (Michael Peña) tracing his journey from childhood to adulthood. As a child migrant worker from Stockton, California, Fernández pursued his dreams with unyielding determination, eventually becoming the first Latin NASA astronaut. Directed by Alejandra Marquez, the film is a poignant reminder of the transformative power of perseverance in the face of daunting challenges.
With free admission and complimentary snacks, the event was a perfect opportunity for first-time moviegoers to enjoy the experience with ease.
“I was fascinated that he was a migrant farm worker and got through the requirements because I looked on NASA’s website, you need to go through all the STEM classes. I saw the trailer and it looked good. This was my first time seeing it and I liked it.” says student Kiami Lee.
The event was attended by a significant number of individuals representing a lot of organizations and clubs on campus, including El Centro, CalWorks, and Puente Club. Their presence was a demonstration of their support for the event.
“I’m in the Puente Club they are one of the sponsors with El Centro for this event. So, I’m here to show my support. This is my second time seeing this movie. I enjoyed it both times.” says student Rosalie Cordova.
A considerable number of attendees expressed satisfaction at the positive portrayal of Latin history depicted in the film.
“We have an outreach specialist that has come abroad at El Centro (Elisa Saenz). I believe she took her time and picked a great movie. This movie shows that perseverance is key, no matter the struggles or background. I think that’s the reason why she chose this movie.” Says Damaris Carrillo, Administrative Assistant of HSI-EL Centro.
The next event for Hispanic Heritage Month is going to be October 12th where they are holding arts night Noche de Arte. The event brought together students, faculty, and staff to celebrate and learn about Latino culture. The screening of Million Miles Away was a fitting tribute to the rich and diverse heritage of the Latino community, and a testament to Chabot’s commitment to inclusivity and diversity. To watch the movie, it’s now streaming on Amazon Prime.