Antonio Rodríguez Fuentes
2021Mexican-American Community in Corpus Christi
Josefina Barrera Fuentes, Josefina Barrera Fuentes
This collection of films, shot in the 1920s by longtime Corpus Christi resident Antonio Rodríguez Fuentes, may well represent some of the earliest produced by a Mexican-American filmmaker about the Mexican-American community in Texas. In the home movie footage, Fuentes captures not only his family but also parades featuring local Mexican-American civil-rights organizations, including the Order of Sons of America and the Obreros y Obreras. Antonio and his wife Josefina were both heavily involved in early Corpus Christi Mexican-American community groups and the social network that these clubs comprised. The couple was also related to numerous local individuals, including Andres De Luna, one of the founders of the League of United Latin American Citizens. This collection comes to TAMI via the Mary and Jeff Bell Library at Texas A&M Corpus Christi.
Mexican-American Community in Corpus Christi
Christmas Day
Josefina Barrera Fuentes, Antonio Rodríguez Fuentes
This 1920s home movie, shot by longtime Corpus Christi resident Antonio Rodríguez Fuentes, may well represent some of the earliest produced by a Mexican-American filmmaker about the Mexican-American community in Texas. In the footage, Fuentes captures his five children-Ruben, Ophelia, Mercedes, Antonio, and Carmen-on Christmas Day 1928. The children surround the outdoor Christmas tree, playing with the gifts they received.
Christmas Day
Playing in the Park
Antonio Rodríguez Fuentes, Josefina Barrera Fuentes
This 1929 home movie, shot by longtime Corpus Christi resident Antonio Rodríguez Fuentes, may well represent some of the earliest produced by a Mexican-American filmmaker about the Mexican-American community in Texas. In the footage, Fuentes captures his wife Josefina and four of their children playing in a park in Corpus Christi. Josefina also takes a turn behind the camera to document her husband with the children.
Playing in the Park
Fourth of July Parade
Antonio Rodríguez Fuentes, Josefina Barrera Fuentes
This home movie, shot by longtime Corpus Christi resident Antonio Rodríguez Fuentes, captures the Fourth of July parade through downtown Corpus Christi in 1929. The footage provides insight into the early construction of parade floats, with many adopting a boxy appearance and featuring limited decoration. Fuentes and his wife Josefina were active members of the city's Mexican-American society, participating in several community organizations.
Fourth of July Parade
Riding a Tricycle
Antonio Rodríguez Fuentes, Josefina Barrera Fuentes
This 1920s home movie, shot by longtime Corpus Christi resident Antonio Rodríguez Fuentes, may well represent some of the earliest produced by a Mexican-American filmmaker about the Mexican-American community in Texas. The footage first shows Fuentes, his wife Josefina, and four of their children exiting their home. Then, Fuentes steps behind the camera to capture his son Antonio Jr. riding a tricycle.
Riding a Tricycle
Fuentes Family Ranch
Josefina Barrera Fuentes, Antonio Rodríguez Fuentes
This 1938 home movie, shot by longtime Corpus Christi resident Antonio Rodríguez Fuentes, captures Fuentes' parents at their ranch near Montemorelos, Nuevo León, Mexico. Fuentes' father rides in on horseback, while his mother tends feeds the chickens and tends to the crops. A proficient photographer, Fuentes takes note of the weather conditions during filming. He labels the footage of his father as taken on a cloudy, rainy day, and the footage of his mother as shot on a clear, sunny day.
Fuentes Family Ranch
