Above left: Santa Paula native Walter Dominguez and his wife Shelley Morrison are screening their documentary-drama Weaving the Past: Journey of Discovery July 1 at the Santa Paula Regency 7. Above right: The life of the Reverend Emilio Hernandez, the longtime leader of El Buen Pastor United Methodist Church is examined in the film that reveals his early life in revolutionary-torn Mexico was tumultuous.

Weaving the Past: Docu-drama of
SP community leader at Regency

June 12, 2015
Santa Paula News

Long after his grandfather’s death in 1973 Walter Dominguez embarked on a journey much more than just passing from one location to another, but rather a literal and figurative quest. Walter’s obsession was to thread the hints of his grandfather’s early years into the larger tapestry of life accomplishments that included his being a prominent Santa Paula church leader.

Walter’s search for the roots of his late grandfather, the Reverend Emilio Hernandez, the respected and much-loved pastor of El Buen Pastor Methodist Church from 1945 to 1952 resulted in Weaving the Past: Journey of Discovery.

The prize-winning documentary-drama from Chasing Light Pictures, LLC — distributed by Tugg Inc. — will be screened on July 1 at the Regency Santa Paula 7 Theater at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are only $10 and include a question and answer session following the screening with Walter and his wife Shelley Morrison, the film’s executive producer.

The Reverend had a life intertwined with peace and service to the Mexican Methodist Church where he was hailed as being instrumental in founding 26 of the Latin American Missions in California and Arizona. The social hall of the historic El Buen Pastor United Methodist Church was named in his honor shortly after his death.

His 1973 obituary noted the Rev. Emilio was fearless as he sought out converts in Fresno’s crime ridden neighborhoods avoided even by police.

And, “He was one of those unforgettable characters who is well remembered for his smile, his sense of humor, and for his many deeds of kindness. If anyone is to think of what a servant to God should be, one should think Emilio N. Hernandez.”

But, unbeknownst to all was what Emilio also had been: an armed freedom fighter and close friend of one of Mexico’s great revolutionaries and heroes, Práxedis Guerrero. 

When the Rev. died Walter, a Santa Paula native, started to wonder about the “blanks” in his grandfather’s life.

“I’d always been intrigued,” said Walter, “even as a little boy when I would question him about his past a dark cloud would always come over his face,” followed by uncharacteristic vague, short answers that left the impression the subject should be changed.

Even then Walter realized there were several things hard for his grandfather to address, “And it always stayed with me, there was something wistful about him,” that Walter largely connected to Emilio’s sad beginnings that saw him leave home at 5 years old due an abusive stepfather.

On his deathbed the Reverend asked that family members visit Mexico to find descendents of his never seen again mother to reconnect the family.

Walter said the discovery of his grandfather’s life as an armed insurgent “Was a complete shock,” even though his mother had said she thought her father had been in trouble with a group in Mexico before he came to the United States in 1904. 

But, it wasn’t until a cousin sent him a book and then an inscribed photo of Práxedis Guerrero, believed either assassinated or killed in battle in 1910 while fighting the dictatorship of President Porfirio Diaz, that the shattered pieces of his grandfather’s early life became an emotional crossword puzzle that Walter was determined to put together.

“I was blown away,” he admitted, “On blind faith I flew out with a cameraman. It’s like a mystery story…unraveling one thing leads to another remarkable journey,” that only concluded more than a decade later with the film. 

Walter embarked on his journey at a personal emotional low point, and “I do feel there was a mysterious and mystical part of this thing that helped me along the way in crucial times…”

Also helping him along was Shelley, his wife of almost 42 years, and a cast of Santa Paulans he had known since childhood. From cousins to friends of his grandfather’s, including Albino Pineda who became as devoted to the church as had his mentor the Reverend Hernandez and his late cousin Bea Huerta.

The film is a hybrid, including interviews, photographs, actors, reenactments, music and more to tell the story that crosses the social and political conditions in Mexico that caused many to cross the border into the United States.

But, said Walter, “As Santa Paula and its people feature so prominently in our film it is great to have a chance to share a bit more about my experiences with folks there, including with my dear friend Albino Pineda — my grandfather’s protégé at the Methodist church. Al is quieter than my grandfather, a Leo who was very charismatic. Al helped tremendously with research and photos as did Richard Acosta, another of my grandfather’s protégés,” who both also appear in the film.

“I’m so proud of him,” Shelley said of Walter. “To be playing the film in the area where he grew up, it’s kind of his gift to the community. We’re not going to get rich,” she laughed, but any profits will go towards their next documentary. 

“We love working together but he’s very humble like his grandfather,” said Shelley, a noted actress who hilariously played housekeeper “Rosario” in television’s Will & Grace among other roles.

She and her writer-filmmaker husband married in 1973 and she became very close to the Reverend’s second wife and widow Theresa.

“She was adorable, we’d make each other laugh. She was a tiny little thing who,” said the Bronx-born Shelley, “taught me how to make beans…”

Now, as a filmmaking couple, “We have certain life experiences we bring to our work,” that Shelley said complements their creations.

“We’re so proud of this film we just want to share it with people, illuminate them and give them comfort…it is our gift.”

And, said Walter, one that is returned: “The thing I really want to share with people in Santa Paula is that for my family the community was such a gift. When my grandfather came to lead the church,” his then wife was ill, and soon dying.

“The people of the church and the community rallied around us, babysat me and my sister, and just were always there with anything the family might need.”

One of those people was Theresa, a friend and caregiver, whom the dying wife made her grief stricken husband promise to marry.

When widowed, “It turned out a year or so later he did marry her,” and they enjoyed great happiness.

His humble grandfather was impressive: “I was taken around to meet all kinds of people in Santa Paula and Fillmore…he was a great friend with the Teagues,” community leaders throughout the city, knew everyone and treated all alike.

Walter’s family moved to Mexico City so his father could attend the university on the GI Bill but throughout his life he remained close to his grandfather and grandmother.

And other family: Walter’s cousin is Laura Hernandez, also a Santa Paula native and former Ventura County executive in charge of emergency preparedness, who enthusiastically embraced the film.

Said Hernandez, “Weaving the Past is an amazing film, so engaging and artistically done in every way,” including a soundtrack that took nine months to complete. 

The film said Laura, also “conveys historical information that expands our appreciation of the American immigrant experience.”

Shelley said the film is family fare and Walter noted it runs the gamut from inspiration to humor.

“There’s something for the heart, something for the mind and something for the spirit. It’s a film that has attracted people of all ages and the response has been great…you can’t ask for more than that, your audience is your best critic.”

They are looking forward to the July 1 screening. 

“Santa Paula is heaven to me,” said Shelley who first visited the city when she accompanied Walter to the Reverend’s funeral.

“Thank god for her,” said Walter whose loss, “was such a traumatic thing for me…Shelley held me as I broke down after the service.”

Now they visit the city as often as possible, especially when Shelley said the couple needs a break from business to “clear the palette” of their creative projects.

It was also a favorite destination for her late mother who “Loved to drive up there especially in the Spring through all the groves…we’d roll down the windows and just breathe in this incredible gift from god.”

Walter said his grandfather always loved Santa Paula, which he left for a time but returned to in retirement. 

“It was just the sincerity of the people in town, in church, all were very, very kindly, helpful people.”

And the orchards, the climate, the mountain views, the agriculture reminded the Reverend of his days as Emilio, living in Mexico, the country he left as a young man amid much strife and spent the rest of his life easing the souls of others.

“Yes, he was very happy here,” and Walter said the Santa Paula memories of all family members are the best they hold.

“Santa Paula,” said Shelley, “is truly paradise…” 

He said, “Those years in Santa Paula, I can’t imagine a more lovely first three years of life, it is such a beautiful, nurturing town. 

“The film honors not only my grandfather but is my love letter to Santa Paula, to the river valley that values the quality of life and caring for other people.”

Weaving the Past: Journey of Discovery will play one night only in Santa Paula, Wednesday, July 1 at 6:30 p.m. at the Regency Santa Paula 7 Theaters, 555 W. Main St.

To purchase tickets online ($10 each or at the door, although it is expected the screening will be a sell out) visit: https://www.tugg.com/events/14751

For more information about the film go to www.weavingthepast.com





Site Search

E-Subscribe

Subscribe

E-SUBSCRIBE
Call 805 525 1890 to receive the entire paper early. $50.00 for one year.

webmaster