Voices from the Heart and Soul of Latino Culture

As part of Hispanic Heritage Month (which kicks off on the 15th), PBS is going all out with an eight-part series titled Voces, curated by Latino Public Broadcasting and hosted by the guy with the best narrator’s voice ever, Edward James Olmos. From the life and times of Celia Cruz to a documentary about guest workers who were part of the controversial bracero program, there’s something for everyone. And the best part is that the eight films will all be available online for your viewing on their broadcast premiere dates at voces.tv.

Here’s what to look out for from now through October:

Premieres Tuesday, Sept. 1 at 10 p.m. (check local listings)
Celia the Queen by Joe Cardona
Celia the Queen is a loving look at the amazing life and legacy of a woman whose voice symbolized the soul of a nation and captured the hearts of fans worldwide. Erupting onto the Cuban music scene as the lead singer for La Sonora Matancera, Celia Cruz broke down barriers of racism and sexism. With the powerful weapon of her voice and the warm tolerance of her heart, Celia soon became all things to all people. The film shows the diversity of the people whose lives she touched, from stars like Quincy Jones, Andy Garcia and Wyclef Jean to ordinary people all over the world who loved not only her music but also her incredible spirit. A copresentation with National Black Programming Consortium.

Premieres Sunday, Sept. 6, 2009 at 10 p.m. (check local listings)
Antonia Pantoja: ¡Presente! by Lillian Jimenez
Antonia Pantoja: ¡Presente! tells the story of educator/organizer Antonia Pantoja, founder of the New York–based advocacy organization Aspira, the Puerto Rican Forum and Boricua College. A passionate, indomitable leader, Pantoja worked with Puerto Rican "immigrant-citizens" to fight against second-class citizenship and to secure a bilingual voice. Through passionate personal testimony, never-before-seen home movies, archival footage and the work of visual artist Juan Sanchez, the feisty Antonia Pantoja guides us through the Puerto Rican community's struggles and triumphs.

Premieres Sunday, Sept. 13, 2009 at 10 p.m. (check local listings)
Bracero Stories by Patrick Mullins
Bracero Stories explores the personal experiences of five former “guest workers” in the controversial U.S.-Mexican bracero program, which granted temporary work contracts to several million Mexican laborers between 1942 and 1964. Their stories are interwoven and illustrated with archival materials, creating a composite narrative of the bracero experience. Interviews with other participants in the program assess its effectiveness and lasting impact. These discussions mirror and inform current debates about immigration and the role of imported labor in our economic development.

Premieres Sunday, Sept. 20, 2009 at 10 p.m. (check local listings)
The Golden Age by Phil Tuckett
The Golden Age documents a season in the life of the Golden Age League, a soccer league in Corona Park, Queens, New York. Not just any soccer league, the highly competitive Golden Age League is made up of middle-aged former World Cup players from mostly Central and South America. With muscles creaking, hairlines receding and waistlines expanding, these incredibly skilled players compete at a level never before documented. During the week, these men are window washers, traders and electricians—but the weekend is theirs, and the passion for the game remains.

Premieres Sunday, Sept. 27, 2009 at 10 p.m. (check local listings)
Special Circumstances by Marianne Teleki
At 16, Héctor Salgado was arrested and tortured by Pinochet's forces. By 20, Héctor was without a country, living in exile in the United States. Special Circumstances follows Héctor as he returns to Chile almost 30 years later, camera in hand, to confront the perpetrators and his former captors, looking for answers and justice. In the process, the film takes an unflinching look at U.S. foreign policy in Latin America in the '70s and the legacy of Pinochet, which Chile still struggles today.

Premieres Sunday, Oct. 4, 2009 at 10 p.m. (check local listings)
Tito Puente: The King of Latin Music by George Rivera
Of all the musicians who have contributed to the popularity of Latin music, none is more recognized than the man known simply as "The King," Tito Puente. His family, friends and colleagues all pay homage here: Bill Cosby, Marc Anthony, Armand Assante, Geraldo Rivera, Jimmy Smits, Paquito D’Rivera and many more. The life of this influential bandleader, percussionist and composer—and one of the most charismatic performers of all time—is recalled through archival footage and interviews as well as excerpts from one of his last concerts.

Premieres Sunday, Oct. 11, 2009 at 10 p.m. (check local listings)
Soy Andina by Mitch Teplitsky
Soy Andina tells the story of two women raised in different worlds—an immigrant folk dancer from the Andes and a modern dancer from Queens, NY—who return to Peru to reconnect with their culture. After 15 years in New York, Nelida Silva returns to fulfill a lifelong dream and host the fiesta patronal, a celebration of dance, music and rituals from Incan times. Meanwhile, Cynthia Paniagua, a dancer raised in Queens, embarks on her own journey, determined to "quench a burning desire to know the real Peru, to unearth the mystery of the dances." Soy Andina is an exuberant cross-cultural road trip, yet its theme is universal: a yearning for roots and connection in turbulent times.

Premieres Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009 at 10 p.m. (check local listings)
Dream Havana by Gary Marks
In August 1994, more than 30,000 Cubans attempted to leave the island by sea. Two writers, friends since adolescence, are faced with a choice: continue struggling with the hardships of the island or brave the open water on a homemade raft. Ernesto Santana chooses Cuba; Jorge Mota chooses the sea. This is the story of their struggles, their successes and the friendship that binds them across the distance, from Chicago to Havana.