When the film “Boxcar People” premiered in Galesburg in 2013 it sold out the Orpheum Theatre.
Since then Luz and Will Shick’s documentary has been featured on public television in Peoria and the Quad Cities and was a finalist for a Midwest Regional Emmy in 2013.
Last night, as a part of the Galesburg Public Library’s Big Read series, Luz and Will returned to Galesburg to screen the film.
“Boxcar People” chronicles the life of Mexican railroad workers in early 20th century Galesburg from being recruited in their homeland, to their journey to the Midwest, to their life in segregated box car camps.
Luz tells WGIL that she couldn’t have made the movie without the help of local families.
“We were fortunate that this community kept their history alive,” Shick says. “They had their celebrations, they had their presentations all along, so, there literally was a wealth of information for us to draw from when we got the Angel’s (family, our guides, to help us through that information.”
A somber update to the film was given.
Luz reported that since the film was released three years ago five of the film’s interview subjects have passed away including Mary Maciel Ponce who just passed away March 18.
“Boxcar People” can be purchased in DVD form at wtvp.org/boxcar
