KCET HONORS HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH WITH EXCITING PROGRAMS BEGINNING SEPTEMBER 26

Burbank, CA - September 19, 2012 - KCET, the

nation's largest independent public television station, celebrates Hispanic

Heritage Month during September and October with fascinating specials,

beginning September 26. Ranging from topics of dance and art to issues of

politics and law, these programs highlight the Hispanic life and culture.

Airing Wednesday, Sept. 26, at 2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. is

Damza

Folklorica Escencia: El Sello Artistico de Rafael Zamarripa

, a documentary

that traces the development of Mexican folklorico dance, a stylized,

choreographed art form designed to vibrantly display the cultural diversity of Mexico.

Showcasing acclaimed choreographer Rafael Zamarripa's experiences and his

remarkable artistic productions, this original program offers an intimate

understanding of this dynamic, and widely practiced cultural expression.

Later in

the evening at 10 p.m. - 11 p.m. is

Cruz

Reynoso: Sowing the Seeds of Justice

, a documentary that paints a

portrait of a man touched by injustice as a child who dedicated his life to

fighting discrimination and inequality as a lawyer, judge and teacher. The

compelling biography, told through a combination of archival footage and

interviews, charts Cruz Reynoso's humble origins, his appointment to the

California Supreme Court (the first Latino justice to serve in the state's

highest court) and more recently, his leadership on the U.S. Commission on

Civil Rights.

Tuesday, Oct. 2, explore the issues of modern day

colonialism, residential tourism, global gentrification and reverse migration

in

Paraiso

for Sale,

from 5 a.m. - 6 a.m. Filmmaker

Anayansi Prado returns to her homeland of Panama to document the effects the

fast-growing migration of American retirees and developers to Bocas del Toro is

having on the local community. Prado discovers that immigration between Latin

America and the U.S. is not just a one-way street.  This program repeats Oct. 8 from

2:30 p.m. - 3:30

p.m.

Wednesday, Oct. 3, uncover the touching story of Elvira

Arellano, a single mother from Chicago,

who fought her deportation, in Immigrant Nation: The Battle for the Dream,

at 2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. This documentary

film that exposes the modern immigrant rights movement interweaves the stories

of individuals, organizations, activists and community leaders united by

passion and a concern for justice. It illustrates the opposition to the

controversial HR4437 immigration bill as well as the ongoing struggle and

demand for comprehensive immigration reform.

Thursday, Oct. 4, examine the steep personal toll and

enduring legacy of the Vietnam War on three artists from south Texas: visual

artist Juan Farias, author Michael Rodriguez and actor/poet Eduardo Garza in

As

Long As I Remember: American Veteranos,

on from 10 p.m. - 11 p.m. This film examines the role art plays in the

sorting of memories, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), activism and the

current conflict in Iraq. These artists' poignant and powerful recollections

illuminate the minority experience in the U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps at a

time when Mexican Americans accounted for approximately 20 percent of U.S.

casualties in Vietnam, despite comprising only 10 percent of the country's

population.

Saturday, Oct. 6, see amazing story of how an intrepid

American adventurer and a brilliant self-taught Mexican artist transformed a

dying desert village into a home for world-class ceramics in

The Renaissance

of Mata Ortiz,

on from

4 p.m. -

5 p.m.

When Spencer MacCallum walked into a second-hand store in Deming,

New Mexico, in 1976 and bought three pieces of pottery, he had no idea that he

was about to embark on a journey that would lead to the revival of an ancient

art form. Finding his way to Mata Ortiz, Mexico, MacCallum partnered with

self-taught artist Juan Quezada and slowly they created an industry that today

is known world-wide not only for its interpretations of a centuries-old style

of ceramics, but for stunning post-modern works as well. This heart-warming and

beautiful documentary tells the improbable story of how Quezada (without a kiln

or a potter's wheel and using only found materials) and MacCallum both

experienced creative and personal breakthroughs which led to dazzling,

innovating works by Quezada and a passing of the torch to younger,

award-winning artists such as Diego Valles. Catch the

repeat Oct. 9 at 2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Finally, on Thursday, Oct. 11, the popular series

Globe

Trekker

travels to Paraguay

and Uruguay

at 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. From Mad Max style beach resorts and strange

Utopian societies to mysterious jungles deep in the heart of the

continent, this episode uncovers an incredibly diverse and unexpected world.

Host Holly Morris explores these fascinating countries and learns about the

tremendous history, interesting traditions, and rich culture each country has

to offer.

ABOUT

KCET

On-air, online and in the community, KCET plays

a vital role in the cultural and educational enrichment of Southern and Central

California. KCET offers a wide range of award-winning local programming as well

as the finest public television programs from around the world. KCET currently

produces the Emmy®, duPont-Columbia and Peabody Award-winning SoCal

Connected, a hard-hitting prime-time weekly television news program that

examines the issues and people of Southern California. Throughout its 48-year

history, KCET has won hundreds of major awards for its local and regional news

and public affairs programming, its national drama and documentary productions,

its quality educational family and children's programs, its outreach and

community services and its website, kcet.org. KCET is a donor-supported

community institution. For additional information about KCET productions,

web-exclusive content, programming schedules and community events, please visit

kcet.org.

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