Maya Cinemas in Bakersfield, California was the place to be this Sunday, February 15th for the Red Carpet event and movie premiere of Disney’s “McFarland, USA”. Arriving at the theatre we found a long line of fans and media ready to check in. According to my sources, in attendance would be several of the stars of the film including Kevin Costner, Carlos Pratts, Rafael Martinez, Michael Aguero, Ramiro Rodriguez, Hector Duran, Johnny Ortiz, Sergio Avelar, as well as the real life stars and champions, Jim White, Danny Diaz, David Diaz, Damacio Diaz, Johnny Samaniego, Victor Puentes, Thomas Valles, and Juanita and Paul Diaz.
Arriving first were the Diaz Brothers, Danny, David and Damacio with their families. I asked the brothers for a quick quote about what had changed for them with the film’s release. “We are just excited to be here finally, it has been a long time coming and we are finally here.”
With everyone focusing on Coach White, the Diaz brothers and the cast, I took a moment to speak with Mrs. Coach White who shared they moved to McFarland in 1964 and stuck around raising their family and being embraced and embracing McFarland. The movie based on true facts did not depict, they had 3 daughters, a point she wanted to make sure I mentioned and also shared how much love the school kids and she had for one another. She was a director of a preschool in Delano and was “Mrs. Coach” and looked around saying “this is all surreal for Jim and I.”
Kevin Costner was the last one to walk the Red Carpet and joked about how he was glad he did not have to do all the running as he did not like running. He talked about growing up not far from McFarland and that living in a wonderful place that recognizes that “we are something, we do stand for something and our kids stand for something.” He went on to say “how like everywhere else in the country, if you give kids a goal they can exceed way beyond the goals which is what happened with McFarland.” Kevin Costner shared how impressed he was reading the story of McFarland years ago and being inspired by it, only to find himself a part of the movie years later. Mr. Costner talked about Jim White’s success and how usually with success comes change and the desire to move on and move up into bigger and better things and yet Coach White just like the runners, stayed in McFarland.
With the movie about to start, we were all asked to take our seats. As I settled in once more to enjoy the movie for a 3rd time in a week, I took a quick look around the packed theatre. This time, full of McFarland community members, including past and current coaches, students and city officials. Although the movie showed McFarland as a heartwarming community full of love and strong family values, I did not not fully anticipate the audience reaction and huge support for the movie. Every familiar site brought yelling and clapping. During the scenes where the boys are competing you could feel the tension in the air as they silently cheered the runners on and I know there were many of us with tears in our eyes during the final pep talk by Coach White (Kevin Costner) before the team took first place at State. The end credits and Juanes‘ song has us swaying and mouthing the words to “Juntos. ” On the ride home, I thought about the events of the day and realized I should have known the home town premiere would be one of complete and total support because just like the movie showed, McFarland may be a small town in Central California, but it is overflowing with love, unity and support that is a pleasure to witness first hand.
“McFarland, USA” is based on the true story of coach Jim White and 7 novice runners who form McFarland High School’s first cross country team and despite tremendous odds, go on to win the State championship and achieve their own little corner of the American Dream. Full of Hispanic traditions and a heartwarming, feel good story line, McFarland USA brings us the trials and triumph of a group of young men and their coach who not only ran for the gold ring but grabbed it and kept running for more. “McFarland, USA” is released in theatres on February 20, 2015 and is an emotional true story of hard work, determination, family and the love that binds it all together.
Loretta Garcia, Entertainment Writer for Chip and Co, . Don’t miss McFarland, USA and check out the new app from myLINGO to enjoy the movie in Spanish. Is it on your bucket list?
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