University of Southern California Dissertations and Theses

La lucha: lucha libre in Los Angeles

(USC Thesis Other)

La lucha: lucha libre in Los Angeles

PDF

Download a page range

Download transcript

Copy asset link

Request this asset

Transcript (if available)

Content La Lucha Samuel Keoni Schwartz A Thesis Presented to the FACULTY OF THE USC ANNENBERG SCHOOL FOR COMMUNUCATION AND JOURNALISM UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree MASTER OF ARTS (SPECIALIZED JOURNALISM) AUGUST 2022 ii Acknowledgements First and foremost, I would like to thank Professor Dan Birman. Three years ago, he committed to taking me under his wing in both his undergraduate documentary production class and his student-run documentary program at USC. In that time, he has gone completely above and beyond, serving as a role-model and mentor and PIA to how documentary should be thought about. Without Dan, I would not be the person I am today. I would also like to personally thank Megan Chao and Susy Garciasalas-Barkley. Their compassionate teaching style not only helped me better understand the more intricate ways of storytelling but showed how to be a professional documentarian when delivering a finished product. Finally, I would like to thank everyone who let me into the sacred world of Lucha Libre and made me feel at home. To Zokre, Taya, Stephen, Super Boy, Javier, Pollo, Ismael, Jill, and the many more people who helped along the way all I can say is muchísimas gracias, ustedes son los mejores. iii Table of Contents I. Acknowledgements........................................................................................................... ii II. Abstract.............................................................................................................................. iv III. Reflection............................................................................................................................ 1 IV. Bibliography....................................................................................................................... 8 V. Documentary Script............................................................................................................ 9 iv Abstract “La Lucha” is a documentary about professional Mexican wrestling in Los Angeles and the thesis is an in-depth reflection on the process of creating that film. Using academic articles and personal accounts, the purpose of this was to explore the culturally enriched and visually vibrant world of Lucha Libre from the perspective of those involved. Interviews were conducted with stakeholders ranging from current professionals to superfans and their perspectives told of the connection between humankind and sport. Through themes such as passion and perseverance the reflection provides a look inside Lucha Libre as a Southern California sub-culture. 1 Reflection “La Lucha” is a documentary that looks at the sport of Mexican wrestling in Los Angeles and highlights the humanity that sports can offer. From the start, I wanted this film to be human- focused. While academic articles and studies give detailed eye-witness accounts and historical documentation of what Lucha Libre is, I hypothesized that it is also deeply felt by those that watched and participated—something that couldn’t show up in an academic account due to its more emotional nature. But before I could begin to explore this world, I had to become an expert in Lucha Libre. The sport came to Mexico in the 1840s 1 and the colorful masks that the performers wear appeared in the 1930s. 2 A show primarily for the working class, those who participate are divided into two camps, “Technicos” and “Rudos”—good guys and bad guys. 3 But their allegiances are not so clear cut. Good guys can be portrayed as the ruling-class government and then the audience may root against them due to a working-class opposition. 4 In these cases, the sport serves as a reflection of Mexican society and a space where citizens are free to let out their frustrations with such. 5 In addition, Lucha Libre’s performers, known as “Luchadores,” are Mexican celebrities. 6 Akin to movie stars in the US—and many do end up starring in Mexican films—the fighters take on superhero-like personas serving as the best of the best within society. 7 1 Stephen Allen, “Lucha Libre,” Latin American History – Oxford Research Encyclopedias, (September 2017). 2 -- 3 -- 4 Heather Levi, The World of Lucha Libre: Secrets, Revelations, and Mexican National Identity, (Duke University Press, 2008). 5 Stephen Allen. “The History of Lucha Libre,” Interview by Sam Schwartz. USC Impact. April 8, 2022. 6 Álvaro A. Fernández, Santo, el Enmascarado de Plata: Mito y realidad de un héroe mexicano modern, (Editorial Universidad de Guadalajara, El Colegio de Michoacán, 2012). 7 -- 2 But aside from the history and brief snippets of what ties together Lucha Libre and Mexican culture, academically, there are few personal accounts that tackle the question of what Lucha Libre means to the people involved, especially in Los Angeles, something that was later confirmed by one of my experts in an interview. 8 While my documentary by no means fills those holes in the academic landscape, by speaking to fans, performers, and researchers, I set out to better understand the human and emotional side of the sport. Since Los Angeles is a hub for Mexican culture outside of Mexico, 9 I hypothesized that Southern California’s interpretation of this art would provide some context beyond the research I did. And it was for this reason that I decided a documentary would be the best way of tackling this vibrant cultural performance. With something like Lucha Libre, which is a visual art, long- form storytelling allows an audience to see the spectacle of sport as well as the personal emotions that come with it. While this type of insight is displayed in both a research and news writing context, visual storytelling’s ability to often reach beyond the screen and connect with the viewer, inspired me to develop such a documentary. In addition, after spending weeks studying the aerial art on paper and then in person, many of their moves need to be seen to be fully comprehended in greater context to the sport as well. -- The 2020 US Census Bureau notes that nearly fifty percent of all L.A. County residents define themselves as Hispanic or Latino 10 making the Southern California city one of the largest US hubs for Hispanic and Latino persons. And according to the Latino Entrepreneurship 8 Allen, interview. 9 Javier Robles. “The Republic of Lucha and Lucha Libre in Los Angeles,” Interview by Sam Schwartz. USC Impact. February 12, 2022. 10 U.S. Census Bureau, “Quick Facts – Los Angeles County,” (2020). 3 Initiative, Latino-owned businesses increased 12% over a five-year period, 11 this including brick-and-mortar stores. The Republic of Lucha is one of those places. The retail space located in South Pasadena is dedicated to the sport of Lucha Libre and carries merchandise while also housing Lucha-based events. The store also opened around the time I started the documentary process. The store is owned by the Lucha Brothers, a famous Mexican wrestling tag team for All Elite Wrestling, a televised fighting network, and Javier Robles, their manager and partner who is a 20-year veteran of the sport. The store is dedicated to the legacy of the tag team and the preservation of Lucha Libre culture in Los Angeles through cultural Lucha-based events, like socials, movie nights, art shows, etc. 12 For the documentary, I focused my efforts on Robles because of his extensive tenure with the art. His insight into how the sport has evolved over 20 years along with his ability to speak to the culture of Lucha Libre within Los Angeles showcases the deep ties between Mexican culture, Lucha Libre, and the city of L.A. From here, I decided to turn to the more local aspects of Lucha Libre. Most academic studies center on Mexico City and Guadalajara, two hubs for Lucha Libre. 13 While these were great inroads to further understanding the culture and sport, I wanted to further delve into Southern California’s perspective, but from the lens of a fighter. Lucha Libre events started appearing in the United States and Japan during the late 1960s and early 1970s. 14 With the help of Mexican Luchadores like Mil Máscaras, Lucha Libre was 11 Marlene Orozco et al., Latino Entrepreneurship Initiative, (Stanford Graduate School of Business, 2020) 12 Robles, “The Republic of Lucha and Lucha Libre in Los Angeles.” 13 Ángel Acuña Delgado,“La cultura en la Arena de la lucha libre mexicana: una visión etnográfica,” Revista Española de Antropología Americana, (February 8, 2016). 14 Allen, “Lucha Libre.” 4 able to spread beyond the borders of Mexico City and Guadalajara through exhibition matches. 15 Taking the style of Lucha Libre and adapting it to each country, wrestling events began popping up in these two places. But for the most part, these shows were limited to local wrestlers, due to restrictive visa requirements. These regulations would be relaxed in 1994 with the signing of the North American Free Trade Agreement, which allowed more Lucha Libre fighters to perform in the US. 16 With this, Luchadores would have greater opportunity to gain an international following, much like that of Super Boy. Super Boy began wrestling at the age of 8 and by his 20s was one of the luchadores traveling around the world doing Mexican wrestling exhibitions. 17 He comes from a lineage of three generations of professional wrestlers and now in his mid-50s. He is still tied to the sport, teaching his sons. His perspective on Lucha Libre from a global standpoint provides a first-hand account of what the sport means in and beyond the perspective of Southern California. His more than 50-year familial history with wrestling showcases the importance of heritage and legacy in reference to the Mexican art. It was following the interview with Super Boy that I began to look towards the people who fund the sport—the fans. While many academic sources in Lucha Libre referenced fan engagement as a crucial part of every show, 18 I wanted to further understand what that meant. In Lucha Libre, the audience is encouraged to yell, chant, and egg on both sides during a match. This manifests itself in different ways depending on each match, but as described by viewers and researchers alike, it is a high-energy spectacle. 19 15 Super Boy. “The Legacy and International Implications of Lucha Libre,” Interview by Sam Schwartz. USC Impact. December 27, 2022. 16 Allen, “Lucha Libre.” 17 Super Boy, “The Legacy and International Implications of Lucha Libre.” 18 Delgado, “La Cultura en la Arena.” 19 -- 5 I found the best way to go about studying this phenomenon was by attending matches and filming everything. But this proved to be more difficult than expected. While the promoters I met were more than willing to let me into a match, they almost always wanted the footage so they could use it for promotional purposes. And when I explained that I couldn’t journalistically do so, the door would shut. I soon discovered that without a way in, the idea of “publicity for your business through my documentary” wasn’t a big enough sell. The nature of Southern California’s Lucha Libre community is also very tight-knit. Thus, it is helpful to have someone well-liked to help foster access and warmth towards a newcomer. Understanding this after many failed attempts, I was introduced to another wrestler, Zokre, who had those relationships and could get me the access needed to follow through with my documentary. Zokre was born in Mexico and grew up in Los Angeles during the 1980s. He began wrestling as a teen and quickly became a recognizable face in the local Lucha Libre scene in Southern California. His 20+ years of experience not only makes him a viable source for this story, but also the catalyst for embedding deeper into the L.A. Lucha Libre community and fandom. His insight into what it means to be a currently active wrestler coupled with his connection to the fans takes the very abstract thought of “what Lucha Libre means” and ties it to a person with emotionally lived experiences. And it was through Zokre that I was finally able to start filming matches and begin observing and interviewing the passionate fanbase. I first met with “Pollo,” whose real name is José. A ringside photographer and superfan, he describes the energy of a Lucha Libre match and uses that to inform the importance of being a fan in relation to the success of the performance. His responses provide a level of emotion, that when seen and heard through visual storytelling tells an audience that to Pollo, Lucha Libre is 6 more than just a performance, it’s a passion. When this is shown alongside his extensive mask collection, it showcases what it means to be a dedicated Lucha Libre fan. This notion is further supported by Ismael, a superfan who has over 600 masks in his collection. Although Ismael is only featured once in the documentary, his explanation of how being a fan of Lucha Libre is a lifetime commitment, helped me further grasp the special place this sport has in this community. Together these two develop the narrative of a devoted Lucha Libre fan in Los Angeles, giving further connectivity between the sport and humanity. Around this time, I began reflecting on my process, wondering where the holes were in my story, and although I had done the research, I had neglected an academic angle to the story. While I did successfully capture the feeling of Lucha Libre through my interviews, the story lacked hard facts and figures. Like how an American wrestler known as the Masked Marvel, inspired masks in Lucha Libre. 20 Or how the sport was banned from television and, in response, became more acrobatic for live audiences. 21 Early in the data collection process, I reached out to all the researchers whose papers I’d read, asking for interviews. This proved to be a futile effort. Nearly four months later I received a reply from Stephen Allen, a researcher based at CSU Bakersfield who wrote an academic article analyzing the main points of Lucha Libre. He became the expert voice for the documentary to help contextualize the research I was doing with the camera and interviews. Allen’s inclusion adds the final piece of what was missing from the story. Rather than explaining what Lucha Libre meant with personal anecdotes, he rounds out the narrative by explaining what certain cultures are and why they are there. This academic angle is the connective tissue that laces all interviewees together as they now have a foundation to speak upon. 20 Allen, “Lucha Libre.” 21 Delgado, “La cultura en la Arena de la lucha libre mexicana: una visión etnográfica.” 7 -- For the last three years, the notion of documentary has been the central focus of my studies. Through this process, I have grasped the importance of data collection through its many forms. Whether it be an academic article or an in-person interview, the power of information in storytelling is crucial. Early on, I did not understand that power, but through the production process, I learned how to shape content and context into a cohesive narrative, balancing both the personal and the factual. Furthermore, I learned how to tell a story about people, one that takes an inside look into the connection between humans and sport. Along the way, I struggled with access, technical difficulties, coherency, and many other problems that many documentaries often deal with, but it was my reaction to those struggles that define the documentary for what it is. I am incredibly pleased with the delivery of the work. Not only is it a reflection of Lucha Libre, but also a reflection of all my hard work to bring this humanity-based tale to fruition. If not a student on a one-year program and given the opportunity to expand, I would travel to Mexico to understand Lucha Libre from the perspective of its origins. This would not only add greater depth to the story but also add a layer of cultural relevancy and connection that may be missing in the original work. In addition, the documentary would benefit from more female voices. While I was able to gain one stakeholder, the inclusion of more women in the story would further diversify its content while also being a more accurate representation of the professional Lucha Libre landscape. 8 Bibliography 1. Acuña Delgado, Ángel. 2018. “La Cultura En La Arena de La Lucha Libre Mexicana: Una Visión Etnográfica.” Revista Española de Antropología Americana 47 (0). https://doi.org/10.5209/reaa.61975. 2. Allen, Stephen. 2017. “Lucha Libre.” Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Latin American History, September. https://doi.org/10.1093/acrefore/9780199366439.013.453. 3. Allen, Stephen. 2022. The History of Lucha Libre Interview by Sam Schwartz. USC Impact. 4. Fernández, Alvaro A. 2019. Santo, El Enmascarado de Plata : Mito Y Realidad de Un Héroe Mexicano Moderno. Guadalajara, Jalisco: Editorial Universitaria. 5. Levi, Heather. 2008. The World of Lucha Libre : Secrets, Revelations, and Mexican National Identity. Durham: Duke University Press. 6. Orozco, Marlene, Inara Sunan Tareque, Paul Oyer, and Jerry Porras. “Latino Entrepreneurship Initiative.” Stanford Graduate School of Business, 2020. https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/sites/default/files/publication-pdf/report-2020-state-of- latino- entrepreneurship.pdf. 7. Robles, Javier. 2022. The Republic of Lucha and Lucha Libre in Los Angeles Interview by Sam Schwartz. USC Impact. 8. Super Boy. 2021. The Legacy and International Implications of Lucha Libre Interview by Sam Schwartz. USC Impact. 9. U.S. Census Bureau; Quick Facts – Los Angeles County, Table RHI725220; using data.census.gov; <https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/losangelescountycalifornia/RHI725220> (2020). 9 La Lucha Script: Impact Producer: Sam Schwartz 3/7/22 Final Script Prologue: Intro 1 Music Classical Orchestral 2 SOT Zokre Sequence: SLO-MO Closeups of fighting Clip: Zokre_Interview_1 [00:32:16] 3 You get into a completely different zone, it’s like drinking ten redbulls without drinking ten redbulls. It’s like that adrenaline spike going through your body. SOT Valkyrie Clip: Taya_Interview [00:28:30] 4 It’s cultural. It’s steeped in tradition. It’s evolved over the last 100 years. There are legends about it. There are so many different layers to it, and I think it’s so visually pleasing. SOT Zokre Clip: Zokre_Interview_1 [00:56:35] 5 This is my escape. This is me getting to put on a different hat. This is what molded my life to become who I am now. SOT Valkyrie Taya_Interview [00:50:00] 6 Lucha Libre really gave me my life. To Lucha is to fight. And I will continue to fight. TITLE CARD La Lucha 7 ACT 1: What is Lucha? 8 NATURAL SOUND of Zokre’s Apt. and St 9 10 Sequence: Establishing Alhambra SOT Zokre Title: Professional Luchador Clip Zokre_Interview_1 [00:02:07] Sequence Cooking breakfast 10 I've always been a fan as far back as I can remember since I was a little kid watching with my dad. Our way to stay home, just escape, stay home, watching wrestling cheer for the good guys boo the bad guys. It’s like real life superheroes you get to see on TV. NATURAL SOUND Butter Sizzling 11 NATURAL SOUND Cooking Clip Zokre_Interview_1 [00:03:00] Sequence Cooking: 12 And from there I would get lucky enough that I would go to so many shows to watch wrestling that the wrestlers kinda started remembering my face. And I looked for a school, but it was $3000 and there was no way I could afford that. And I went to an autograph signing, and one of the, we call them ‘minis,’ which are little people wrestlers. // He told us no, you’re not gonna have to pay that, there’s a little place that if you wanna really do it and stick with it, it’s gonna be a different feat. And we showed up they accepted us and became the thing that changed our life. NATURAL SOUND Plating His Breakfast 13 SOT Zokre Clip Zokre_Interview_1 [00:01:02] Sequence: Art on the Wall 14 My name is Zokre. I’ve been wresrling for 21 years now. I’m most famously known as one of the chickens from Lucha VaVoom or as the Tag Team of Los Luchas with my Partner Phoenix Star. SOT Zokre Clip Zokre_Interview_1 [00:05:55] 15 I never wanted to wrestle, like, no way. I just wanted to train because like, what they were doing on TV was so cool. 11 Sequence: Brushing Teeth SOT Zokre Clip Zokre_Interview_1 [00:07:03] Sequence: Packing up to leave 16 Getting to train along with the guys that I used to go see at the local shows, you know, and them putting their hand on my back saying, Hey, good progress. Like, that's a feeling I've never had in my life SOT Zokre Clip Zokre_Interview_1 [00:07:42] Sequence: Leaving the Apt. 17 And when we finally reached two years of training, my partner said, “all right, we have to do this.” And as much as I fought him, he convinced me to do it and it was the best decision I ever made in my life. NATURAL SOUND Establishing Santa Anita Sequence: Establishing Outdoor Venue 18 Senores y Senoritas estamos a regreso. Lucha Libre Mexicana, esa tarde aqui en ‘Michelada Rumble.’ Recibamos a la pareja con formada por ‘Red Spider.’ El Fin de la Lucha Libre. Actuality: Promoter Announcing the Fight 19 SOT Zokre Clip Zokre_Interview_1 [00:05:04] Sequence: Start of Fight 20 Lucha Libre is, it’s a fight between good and evil in a ring. SOT Zokre Clip Zokre_Interview_2 [00:00:45] Sequence: Fight 1 Goes On 21 The Good Guys are always gonna be the technicos. And then we have the Rudos, the bad guys, the guys that always want to cheat, lie and steal their way to the victory. Actuality of the first fight (promoter) Sequence: Fight 1 Goes On 20 Arriba los rudos! SOT Stephen Allen Title: Latin American Historian, CSUB Clip Stephen_Interview [00:14:52] Sequence: Fight 1 Goes On 21 I would say in some ways it's a little anarchic in what goes on in a Lucha Libre match. 12 Actuality of Guy Biting Hair Sequence: Fight 1 Goes On 22 SOT Stephen Allen Clip Stephen_Interview [00:39:57] Clip: Fight 1 Starts to End 23 There's a fixed ending. But how you get there is unscripted. You need to make sure that you are buying one side. If you’re not? You don’t care? That’s the worst thing that can happen in Lucha Libre. Actuality of the first fight (promoter) Sequence: End of Fight 1 24 El applauso para los rudos! Archival Masked Marvel Video Getty Images 25 The Masked Marvel from Montana Steps into the ring in Seattle for a bit of Mayhem with the noted pretty boy of ‘Wrastling,’ Gorgeous George from Hollywood. SOT Stephen Allen Clip Stephen_Interview [00:26:15] Sequence: GettyImages Fight 26 It was originally an American who brought the mask down. There was a stock character known as the Masked Marvel in the US. Archival Masked Marvel Video Getty Images 27 The Masked Marvel has other ideas namely to stick his oar in. To this the ref takes exception, but he might as well have stayed in bed. He took on an ol’ sea-fairing man, who knows his ropes. SOT Stephen Allen Clip Stephen_Interview [00:26:15] Sequence: GettyImages Fight 27 So, a guy comes down to the US and wants to do a Masked Marvel character but over time, the mask takes off among professional wrestlers. SOT Zokre Clip Zokre_Interview_ 1 [00:45:01] Sequence: Mask Store 28 It’s a culture for Mexico, this is cultural. And especially in Southern California because a lot of Mexicans migrated to this area brought the tradition over. So if you go to any little mercado or swap meet, you’re always gonna see wrestling masks because it’s the culture that 13 comes from Mexico, the tradition, and because of that, you respect it. You wanna make sure that this is important. It’s not just something you can take off and throw away all of the sudden, because it meant nothing to me this pretty much means everything. SOT Zokre Clip Zokre_Interview_2 [00:20:05] 29 So, yeah, this is me and this is me. It's just like everyone. There's two parts of us and I get to actually go out there and just get to experience them, you know, in front of a crowd. NATURAL SOUND Start of Crazy Chicken Fight Sequence: Start of Fight 2 30 SOT Zokre Clip Zokre_Interview_ 1 [00:33:36] Sequence: Fight 2 Goes On 31 When I put on a mask and I enter that ring, I consider it someone else because I could not do that without the mask. I grew up as a very quiet, secluded, shy kid. And yeah, I don’t think I’d be able to do this without the mask. SOT Stephen Clip Stephen_Interview [00:27:44] Sequence: Fight 2 Goes On 32 For some of the wrestlers, then it's this idea that you are hiding behind this, that you're it's your persona. I think maybe a practical reason might be that you could go live your life and people wouldn't bother you. Actuality of the second fight (promoter) Sequence: Fight 2 Goes On 33 Y la oficion la polla los. Chickens. Chickens. SOT Stephen Clip Stephen_Interview [00:29:16] Sequence: Fight 2 Goes On 34 But it also then creates something sacred. So, there is a thing of like the power of the mask, you know, kind of it gives it this life that you have to be careful of. SOT Zokre Clip Zokre_Interview_ 1 [00:46:45] Sequence: Fight 2 Goes On 35 So then the other other side of it is like, you do see a lot of Luchaores that don't wear masks. 14 And that’s fine because a lot of wrestlers step into this business without wearing a mask, and they're amazing Luchadores. It's just preference. SOT Valkyrie Title: Professional Luchadora Clip: Taya_Interview [00:09:39] Sequence: Fight 2 Goes On 36 I was never asked to put one on or nor did I really want to. I felt better just being myself. And I just was trying to create my own legacy and my own dynasty by just having my face exposed to the world (laughs). SOT Zokre Clip Zokre_Interview_ 1 [00:42:29] Sequence: Fight 2 Goes On 37 There's two different styles, that are the dominant ones here for wrestling, and its usually American style and Lucha. American style is big guys, big muscles, slamming big guys big muscles. Actuality of the second fight (promoter) Sequence: Fight 2 Goes On 38 Ya estas su ido lo. SOT Zokre Clip Zokre_Interview_ 1 [00:43:01] Sequence: Fight 2 Goes On 39 And in Lucha Libre you might be taller than some of the guys in the ring. SOT Valkyrie Clip: Taya_Interview [00:17:02] Sequence: Fight 2 Goes On 41 There’s more dives, there’s more risk, it’s a faster speed. Actuality of the second fight (promoter) Sequence: Fight 2 Goes On 41 Y los rudos son. SOT Stephen Clip Stephen_Interview [00:33:07] Sequence: Fight 2 Goes On 42 It’s like similar to gymnastics. It’s a little more playful. They let the wrestler’s movements sell the match. Part of the style comes from the fact that it was banned from television. Because 15 it was seen as a bad influence on little kids. Ans so the style became more acrobatic, more for live audiences. So it is about action, it is about movement, it is about wrestling. NATURAL SOUND Chicken Chants 43 SOT Zokre Clip Zokre_Interview_ 1 [00:18:15] Sequence: Fight 2 Goes On 44 When we started training, we trained traditional lucha libre. And so, we started ‘evolutionizing’ what we were doing. Blending in the styles to where we could go with the American guys and we could go with the lucha guys and not have to have them adjust to us. SOT Zokre Clip Zokre_Interview_ 1 [00:12:25] Sequence: Fight 2 Goes On 45 It was still it was. So you could say, segregated like you had to go this way and you had to go this way. You could not blend it. I wear a mask. I'm Mexican. I’m brown and I’m small. Like, I'm not accepted anywhere. But now there's an opportunity for everyone to work, not just if you wear a mask or not, just if you're big and strong. NATURAL SOUND End of Fight 2 46 SOT Zokre Clip Zokre_Interview_ 1 [00:12:25] Sequence: Chickens Win and Take Photos 47 There is no more Lucha Libre shows and there's no more American shows. There is wrestling shows, and that’s the beauty of it. It's a blend of everything that's good about wrestling. NATURAL SOUND Outside and Inside of Santino Bros Sequence: Etsbalishing Wrestling School 48 SOT Zokre Clip Zokre_Interview_ 1 [01:01:31] 49 So now that we're reaching the end of our career, because I am forty-one years old now and my partner with the 16 Sequence: Zokre Lacing Up pandemic that just happened, he decided to retire What we were doing, was teaching Lucha Libre. Actuality Zokre Tying 50 God I can’t even see what I’m doing SOT Zokre Clip Zokre_Interview_ 1 [01:02:44] Sequence: Zokre Lacing Up 51 There's a school called Santino Brothers Academy; we teach the Lucha Libre aspect in that school. Since we're not going to be a part of this business anymore, we want to we want to give everything we've learned back. And we're having them be prepared for when that opportunity comes, they don't have to doubt themselves. They just say yes, and they go and they give it their best. NATURAL SOUND Training Fight Starts 52 SOT Zokre Clip Zokre_Interview_ 1 [00:51:10] Sequence: Training Fight 53 So, we've been doing that and I mean, there is amazing talent coming out of Southern California, some that we help, you know, shape in and help out with some of the training so that they could be out there ready when that opportunity comes. Actuality Zokre Teaching Moment 54 No! If I don’t kick you off beat me! SOT Valkyrie Clip: Taya_Interview [00:21:29] Sequence: Training Fights Continue 55 Wrestling gives you calluses, so to speak. So when you're doing it a lot, you don't really get sore. But if you take like a few weeks off or a month off, you know, you take your first bump and you just feel like it, like death. So you got to keep the calluses alive. (laughs) NATURAL SOUND Training Fight Continues 56 SOT Valkyrie Clip: Taya_Interview [00:20:23] 57 I think that it's super important to train all the time and I feel like it's really important to be in the gym every day 17 Sequence: Training Fights Continue and make sure your, you know, your cardio is up, your strength is up, your joints are healthy. Because that's what you have to do when you're trying to get noticed, when you're trying to become the best. Actuality Zokre Teaching Moment Again 58 Hey, can I say something? Do you mind if I say something? Hey guys real quick, if you don’t mind, I don’t know if you paid attention to the way they were whipping each other. They were doing in perfectly because they were always going in a straight line and always had the spacing. The reason why is because say after the hip toss right here, when he whips him he doesn’t just do this. You see how there is now no more space? He did THIS. And when he reversed it, he took his spot, you see how we’re always in a straight line. You see now he wants to come towards me. SOT Zokre Clip Zokre_Interview_ 1 [00:28:57] Sequence: Training Fight Proceeds 59 You can’t go train and not be all there. NATURAL SOUND Training Fight Continues 60 SOT Zokre Clip Zokre_Interview_ 1 [00:29:04] Sequence: Training Fight Ends 61 You can’t go to a wrestling match and not be all there. Because the moment you’re not all therethat’s when little accidents happen and it only takes a little thing for you to get seriously hurt. ACT 2: Lucha Culture 62 NATURAL SOUND Downtown South Pasadena 63 Actuality Inside Republic of Lucha 64 Hey. Hello. Good morning. 18 SOT Zokre Clip Zokre_Interview_ 3 [00:01:12 Sequence: Getting to Zokre’s Office 65 I was practicing springboards off the top rope. You know, just basic springboards, doing a front flip or a backflip. And after the swelling went down, I realized the pain wasn’t going down. Something broke in my foot and now I am out for five to six weeks. NATURAL SOUND Inside Republic of Lucha Sequence: Shirt Prep 66 SOT Zokre Clip Zokre_Interview_ 3 [00:09:36] Sequence: Shirt Printing Starts 67 So, the Republic of Lucha is a store located in South Pasadena. It’s owned by the Lucha Brothers, Fenix, Pentagon and Javier. We’re at my office which is the printing department. I take care of all the online sales. I take care of all these cool shirts that you see all over the shop. This is my contribution back to wrestling now. NATURAL SOUND Printing Proceeds 68 SOT Javier Co-owner, Republic of Lucha Clip: Javier_Interview [00:01:41] Sequence: Shirt Making Process 69 It's a retail store events space, gallery- cinema hybrid. It’s meant for Lucha fans and anybody that has no idea what it is. It’s a playground for ideas of wrestling outside of the ring. SOT Javier Co-owner, Republic of Lucha Clip: Javier_Interview [00:00:25] Sequence: Store Shots 70 I'm from Juarez, Mexico, which is right on the border. Juarez has a very strong lucha libre tradition. So I grew up as a fan. Then when I moved to L.A. 20 years ago, uh, we had an idea for a music video. And I contacted one of my favorite wrestlers. And then that just 19 snowballed into 20 years of being involved in the industry. SOT Javier Co-owner, Republic of Lucha Clip: Javier_Interview [00:04:25] Sequence: Store Merch 71 If you pay attention to your surroundings, you can’t walk two minutes in Los Angeles without finding a reference to Lucha Libre. It's a huge part of the of Hispanic culture. So it's something that's very dear to both immigrants and native Latino Angelenos. It's a huge part of the of the culture of the city. This project and this idea, it can only happen in Los Angeles. It has the market and the culture to to sustain and embrace such a unique place. NATURAL SOUND Residential Compton Sequence: Establishing Local Fight 72 Actuality of Promoter 73 Promoter 1: Le damos _____ con afficionado de Lucha Libre de queda Los Angeles. Super Boy que un momento llega. Promoter 2: Quieren un aplauso para el bien Super Boy. Super Boy. Super Boy. SOT Super Boy Title: Former Professional Luchador Clip: Super Boy_Interview_1 [00:14:47] Sequence: Local Fight Starting 74 Wrestling is like mathematics, it’s a universal language. NATURAL SOUND Local Fight Proceeds 75 SOT Super Boy Clip: Super Boy_Interview_1 [00:00:47] Sequence: Local Fight Ensures 76 I’m a second-generation wrestler. My kids are third generation. Our legacy starts with my father, El Moro, back in Mexico in Guadalajara, Jalisco. 20 Normally in Mexico we have those legacies. We have traditions. NATURAL SOUND Fight Slam 77 SOT Super Boy Clip: Super Boy_Interview_1 [00:04:17] Sequence: Local Fight Ensures 78 You know, we have people that make shoes. And then it goes back to like the grandfather, the father, the sons. And, you know, it goes on and on a lucha libre is just like that. It’s just beautiful to hear people say, ‘oh yeah my dad used to take me, I’m taking my kids.’ NATURAL SOUND Fight Slam 79 SOT Super Boy Clip: Super Boy_Interview_1 [00:28:58] Sequence: Local Fight Ensures 80 It’s not only the wrestling, it’s interaction with people, it’s changing lives. It’s another way to connect. You know we can connect through language we can connect other ways but sports is like this powerful way of just creating connection. There’s a human need for that. NATURAL SOUND/Actuality Next Fight 81 I have no idea what they are saying here ;) SOT Stephen Clip Stephen_Interview [01:02:07] Sequence: Fight 2 Goes On 82 All sporting events, I think are really good ways to understand cultures. NATURAL SOUND Face-kick and Slam 83 SOT José “El Pollo” Gill Title: Photographer/Superfan Clip: Pollo_Interview [00:48:40] Sequence: Fight 2 Proceedings 84 It’s for everybody. There is no discrimination. You don’t have to have money, you don’t have to be rich. To be close to your heroes, your luchadores. 21 NATURAL SOUND End of Fight 2 85 SOT Valkyrie Clip: Taya_Interview [00:30:49] Sequence: Ismael Taking Photo 86 You know, I love the fact that you are this far away from somebody looking at them and you can see the emotion in their face. The crowd is so much a part of the show as we are. Actuality of Ismael 87 It is the autograph of Octagoncito! SOT Valkyrie Clip: Taya_Interview [00:45:55] Sequence: Training Fights Continue 88 The fans are a huge part of it. They go hand in hand with what Lucha Libre is. NATURAL SOUND Outside Cudahy/Pollo Walking 89 Actuality of Pollo talking about his collection 90 This is part of my collection. This is a pentagon jr. mask, he wrestles this one in Lucha Underground against Puma King. This is one of my favorite masks. Pentagon Jr., Penta, cero miedo. His brother Fenix, he wrestled this one at the crash, Mexico and Tijuana against LA Park. SOT Pollo Clip: Pollo_Interview [00:01:34] Sequence: Inside of Pollo’s Shrine 91 I started following Lucha Libre since I was two years old. We used to live a block away from Arena Jalisco, so I’ve been a fan of Lucha Libre my entire life. Actuality of Pollo talking about his collection 92 For me as a fan, it’s really important that I have all these masks. Because when I was a kid I used to watch them and I never thought I was going to get a mask from my favorite Luchador. And like I said 90% of these are gifts. That’s what I like about Lucha Libre that you get to keep and collect stuff from the Luchador, straight from them. 22 And this is what Lucha Libre is all about, collecting and being close to your favorite luchadores. NATURAL SOUND Pollo Cleaning His Camera Gear 93 SOT Pollo Clip: Pollo_Interview [00:02:18] Sequence: Pollo Cleaning his gear 94 When I used to go to the shows, I was like 9-10 years old and my brother bought me a camera. He bought it for me so I could take pictures with the wrestlers. But what I used to do is I used to run around the ring and take pictures of the wrestlers while they were wrestling. He would get mad at me because he would say, “hey I bought it for you so you could take pictures with the wrestlers, not to be taking pictures of the wrestlers.” But that’s what I liked, I like to be close to the ring and taking pictures. SOT Pollo Clip: Pollo_Interview [00:08:53] Sequence: Dusting his collection 95 I have to separate myself as a fan as a photographer. Beacause when I am close to the ring, I have to focus on my work. Because like I said, I’m right there in front of the action. SOT Pollo Clip: Pollo_Interview [00:07:40] Sequence: Dusting his collection 96 When I go to a show, they don’t know Jose. I’m not a bus driver anymore, I’m El Pollo. I’m like a Luchador because I have my own personality in Lucha Libre. Jose and El Pollo are not the same guy Actuality of Pollo talking about his collection 97 Over here we have Masacara Sagrada, he’s a good friend of the family. Sometimes when he comes to LA he stays here with us. He was one of my favorite idols when I was a kid. Mascara Sagrada. SOT Pollo Clip: Pollo_Interview [00:10:04] Sequence: Dusting his collection 98 I like wrestling because it gives you the opportunity to get closer to a luchador. You get to talk to them, you get to take pictures with them. You can go out and eat with a wrestler, that’s something you wouldn’t be able to do with a professional soccer player or baseball player. And really feel like a 23 family when you are in a Lucha Libre event. NATURAL SOUND Sherman Oaks 99 SOT Valkyrie Clip: Taya_Interview [00:47:01] Sequence: Walking her dog 100 Lucha Libre really gave me my life. It’s given me these friendships that I have. It's given me this whole other family across countries, across borders, and it made me find my place in the world. NATURAL SOUND Dog Panting 101 SOT Valkyrie Clip: Taya_Interview [00:09:04] Sequence: Walking her dog 102 I think Taya is just like this elevated, over-the-top pop star version of who I am. She's boujee. She's bad. She she's sweet and psycho. She's like total polar opposites basically. I say that she’s a version of me that maybe as a kid I wanted to be. Actuality Talking to Dog 103 Oh my sweet boy. SOT Valkyrie Clip: Taya_Interview [00:08:34] Sequence: Walking her dog 104 I just feel like when I put my costume on I’m just this magical version of myself. Actuality Taya with her Dress 105 This is one of my tool coats. I keep them in wedding bags because they’re so big. I couldn’t tell you how many yards of tool is in this, but it’s a lot (laughs). Yeah, it’s like a quinceñera, wedding dress (laughs). Archival Women Wrestling Video Sequence: Getty Images 106 Lady ‘Wrastling’ at Turner’s Arena in Washington D.C. but not lady like wrestling. Gloria Barattini gets tossed by Nell Stewart and the goodly throng of fight fans whooped and hollered for fireworks, a la weaker sex. SOT Valkyrie Clip: Taya_Interview [00:12:34] Sequence: Getty Images Fight 107 We always have to, as women, face these obstacles. We’re always kinda fighting an uphill battle. So it’s just these little tiny things that were just chipping away at to make sure we are viewed as equal. Archival Women Wrestling Video 108 Texas Nell sings a different tune when her operatic opponent gets in the pile 24 Sequence: Getty Images driver seat and starts riding herd on Nell. SOT Valkyrie Clip: Taya_Interview [00:11:07] Sequence: Getty Images Fight 109 I’m trying to push the limits of what people take as acceptable or what they think is okay. Especially as a woman in a sport that's predominantly male dominated and who's really trying to ruffle feathers. And that’s why I love this. NATURAL SOUND Taya Leaving and getting in her car 110 SOT Valkyrie Clip: Taya_Interview [00:11:50] Sequence: Taya Driving 111 Lucha Libre, they don’t shy away from the idea of men wrestling women. You don’t have one women’s match in a two-hour show, you have multiple ones. So that's a really cool thing about it because it kind of gave me this this already this push into like, you know, pushing those limits and letting people know that like I can fight any man any day of the week. And I will whoop any man’s ass if the opportunity comes forth. NATURAL SOUND Outside and Inside VaVoom 112 Actuality Announcer at VaVoom 113 Welcome to Lucha VaVoom! SOT Zokre Clip Zokre_Interview_ 1 [00:16:22] Sequence: 1 st VaVoom Fight 114 Lucha VaVoom is burlesque, comedy, and Lucha Libre. But it’s blended into one and it’s not catered towards burlesque fans, comedy fans, or lucha libre fans. It’s more like a variety show where you just buy a ticket and show up and figure out what’s gonna go on, and that’s the beauty of it. NATURAL SOUND Fight Slam 115 SOT Zokre Clip Zokre_Interview_ 2 [00:13:54] Sequence: 1 st VaVoom Fight 116 Lucha VaVoom had a huge impact in Southern California because they are the company that started providing the visas for luchadores from Mexico to come over to the states and have an opportunity to work. 25 So now the states are being exposed to more traditional Lucha Libre here and so that’s making it good for the sports because now it’s allowing Mexican masked wrestlers to be represented the right way NATURAL SOUND End of First Fight 117 Actuality Zokre hyping up the Chickens pre-fight 118 First of all, you can’t see your face and you’re a a big ass chicken, so yeah just be animated. Get on the stage, get the crowd hyped. I like to point to the balcony because no one pays attention to them but dn’t get too tired because the match starts, because that’s our mistake that we always get blown up with the big entrance. SOT Zokre Clip Zokre_MidInterview_3 [00:00:05] Sequence: Hallway Pre-fight 119 One of the unfortunate things about getting hurt, is that now I had to find a replacement. Luckily it wasn’t too hard because Southern California is full of amazing talent. Because I ‘m able to teach at the Santino School I was able to just ask one of my students that I know can maintain the same speed, the agility, and the moves off the top rope. Actuality Zokre prepping Chickens Pre-Match 120 Enjoy it. Follow this guy’s lead. Youre in a fucking chicken outfit, nobody knows who you are underneath it, so act a fool and enjoy it, enjoy it. SOT Zokre Clip Zokre_MidInterview_3 [00:01:05] Sequence: Hallway Pre-fight 121 It’s bittersweet, you know like, you’re missing out on a good show but youre also giving someone new an opportunity to experience this. NATURAL SOUND Zokre Helping with Mask 122 There we go, right there, right there. SOT Zokre Clip Zokre_MidInterview_3 [00:01:45] Sequence: Hallway Pre-fight 123 And he’s worked his butt off so I know he’s gonna do good and represent it well. 26 Actuality Zokre Final words for Chickens Pre-Match 124 And just enjoy it. Don’t take it like a real job. Don’t take it like a real job but respect it like a real job. NATURAL SOUND Start of Chicken Fight 125 SOT Zokre Clip Zokre_Interview_2 [00:03:05] Sequence: Chicken Fight 126 I do get constantly asked, Oh, you know, wrestling’s fake, wrestlihng’s fake right? Wresting’s fake. I've suffered enough injuries throughout my career to know that it's not fake. It's an art. It's like everything else. I can’t tell you it’s fake. So when a lot of people tell me, you know, ay is a real is a fake? I'm like, Well, just watch it and see if you could take that punishment and you tell me if it's a real punishment or not. NATURAL SOUND Chicken Fight Slams 127 SOT Zokre Clip Zokre_MidInterview_3 [00:05:26] Sequence: Chicken Fight 128 Yeah. And so that is one way we protect this art because we devote so much time into it. We sacrifice so much for it. We have to protect it. NATURAL SOUND End of Chicken Fight 129 One, two, three, Lucha! NATURAL SOUND Valkyrie Entrance 130 SOT Valkyrie Clip: Taya_Interview [00:39:00] Sequence: Entering the Ring 131 I feel like Lucha is the epitome of art. There are no rules to what art is. That’s why at Lucha VaVoom I’m getting out the biggest cape, I’m getting out all the most ridiculous flamboyant amazing things to play with because that’s the thing that people want to see. NATURAL SOUND Start of Valkryie Fight 132 SOT Valkyrie Clip: Taya_Interview [00:27:38] 133 This is just a culmination of all the things that I love. It's physicality with art and dance and, you know, character 27 Sequence: Taya Fighting work and acting. And so it is worth it for me. NATURAL SOUND Valkyrie Fight 134 SOT Valkyrie Clip: Taya_Interview [00:28:04] Sequence: Taya Fighting 135 When you really love something and you're so passionate about it, that’s just utter happiness and euphoria. NATURAL SOUND Valkyrie Fight 136 SOT Valkyrie Clip: Taya_Interview [00:49:30] Sequence: Taya Fighting 137 Lucha Libre helped me find my place in the world. I feel like my whole life I've like always kind of fought uphill to get to where I want to be. And this was the first place and the first thing that I did where I felt like I fit in. And I felt like all that fighting meant something NATURAL SOUND Valkyrie Fight 138 SOT Valkyrie Clip: Taya_Interview [00:48:00] Sequence: Taya Winning the Match 139 I'm forever connected to Lucha Libre. It's forever going to be what I am and what I beathe and what I do. It will forever be in my blood. I might not have been born with it, but it is part of me now. SOT Pollo Clip: Pollo_Interview [00:10:04] Sequence: Taking Photos at VaVoom 140 The passion, the love for Lucha Libre. And that feeling you get when you are at a lucha libre show, it’s crazy. I don’t think I’ll ever, ever stop going to a Lucha Libre show. I can say, ah, this is gonna be my last show, but there is never a stop for Lucha Libre. You always keep going, you never stop. Once you go in, you’ll never get out of Lucha Libre. Actuality of Zokre Congratulating Fighters 141 I got base, I got base. Chingona, Chingona. SOT Zokre Clip Zokre_Interview_ 1 [01:16:15] 143 Lucha Libre is happiness to me. 28 Sequence: Congratulating the Wrestlers SOT Zokre Clip Zokre_Interview_ 2 [00:29:19] Sequence: SLOMO Ring/SLOMO Zokre 144 I’m grateful for this sport, because without this sport who knows what my life could have been. I’ve been lucky enough to be a representative of my country, my cultures and my traditions. And I’m proud to say, that Lucha Libre is my life.

Abstract (if available)

Abstract “La Lucha” is a documentary about professional Mexican wrestling in Los Angeles and the thesis is an in-depth reflection on the process of creating that film. Using academic articles and personal accounts, the purpose of this was to explore the culturally enriched and visually vibrant world of Lucha Libre from the perspective of those involved. Interviews were conducted with stakeholders ranging from current professionals to superfans and their perspectives told of the connection between humankind and sport. Through themes such as passion and perseverance the reflection provides a look inside Lucha Libre as a Southern California sub-culture.

Linked assets

University of Southern California Dissertations and Theses

Conceptually similar

PDF

Discovering self

PDF

Sages & seekers

PDF

Talk through dance

PDF

A feminist update for a Mexican folk music tradition

PDF

Clean up

PDF

Discovering home

PDF

Fútbol en America

PDF

Women’s professional golf: beyond the pay gap

PDF

The perils of Black Excellence for Black women

PDF

Finding balance

PDF

The progressive movement of Armenian women

PDF

Hockey's issues with inclusivity & diversity

PDF

Hooked on hate

PDF

The spiritual safe havens of Los Angeles

PDF

El Monte and South El Monte reimagined through arts, culture and activism

PDF

Being Asian in America

PDF

The mushroom hunters

PDF

What's the line: the impact of gambling legalization on American professional sports

PDF

Lucha libre!

PDF

Life after life

Asset Metadata

Creator Schwartz, Samuel (author)

Core Title La lucha: lucha libre in Los Angeles

School Annenberg School for Communication

Degree Master of Arts

Degree Program Specialized Journalism

Degree Conferral Date 2022-08

Publication Date 08/01/2022

Defense Date 07/30/2022

Publisher University of Southern California (original), University of Southern California. Libraries (digital)

Tag documentary,History,journalism,La lucha,Los Angeles,lucha libre,OAI-PMH Harvest

Format application/pdf (imt)

Language English

Contributor Electronically uploaded by the author (provenance)

Advisor Birman, Daniel (committee chair), Abrahamson, Alan (committee member), Castañeda, Laura (committee member)

Creator Email samstrejan@usc.edu,skschwar@usc.edu

Permanent Link (DOI) https://doi.org/10.25549/usctheses-oUC111375807

Unique identifier UC111375807

Legacy Identifier etd-SchwartzSa-11050

Document Type Thesis

Format application/pdf (imt)

Rights Schwartz, Samuel

Type texts

Source 20220801-usctheses-batch-964 (batch), University of Southern California (contributing entity), University of Southern California Dissertations and Theses (collection)

Access Conditions The author retains rights to his/her dissertation, thesis or other graduate work according to U.S. copyright law. Electronic access is being provided by the USC Libraries in agreement with the author, as the original true and official version of the work, but does not grant the reader permission to use the work if the desired use is covered by copyright. It is the author, as rights holder, who must provide use permission if such use is covered by copyright. The original signature page accompanying the original submission of the work to the USC Libraries is retained by the USC Libraries and a copy of it may be obtained by authorized requesters contacting the repository e-mail address given.

Repository Name University of Southern California Digital Library

Repository Location USC Digital Library, University of Southern California, University Park Campus MC 2810, 3434 South Grand Avenue, 2nd Floor, Los Angeles, California 90089-2810, USA

Repository Email cisadmin@lib.usc.edu