Educational Media Reviews Online

This film by Pepe Urquijo presents Rebecca Armendariz as a young person interested in her community of Gilroy, California and who is trying to make it a better a place. Her goal has been to get people in her community registered to vote for the national and local elections in order to make a difference. Rebecca energetically tries to convince people that their vote can help bring about change. Even though changes take time she is undaunted in her effort. The addition of the introduction to Rebecca’s family, her brother, Raymundo; her mom, Sally; her dad, Domingo helps to showcase the Chicano culture. Sally, the mom, is very strong in her religion, and demonstrative in her feelings about Chicano people not being the same as Hispanic people. While Beca de Gilas is helpful in showing this culture’s lifestyle, the nature of the language and content is best suited for adult audiences. Recommended for college libraries where information on multiculturalism is needed This film has won the following awards: Gold Spire, San Francisco International Film Festival, Bronze Apple, National Educational Media Festival, 1999. Third place, Women’s stories, Mexico City International Documentary Film Festival, 2000.