Going Varsity in Mariachi is a documentary that premiered at the Sundance Film Festival last year and then was in the Festival Favorites category of the SXSW Film & Television Festival, where I viewed the film in the beautiful and historical Paramount Theater here in Austin, TX. The film, directed by Sam Osborn and Alejandra Vasquez, features the mariachi program at the Edinburg North High School, Mariachi Oro, taught by Coach Abel Acuña.
After the film screening, a Q&A took place with the filmmakers, the coach, and others. The filmmakers shot the documentary on the Edinburg North High School campus, featuring the students during their practice. What I also enjoyed was the filming of a few of the mariachi program students in their day-to-day lives in the Rio Grande Valley. The film captured conversations with their family members, friends, and others, which reflect so much of the culture and community. The cinematography by Michael Crommett (“Leguizamo Does America” TV series) not only shows the world the beautiful trajes (mariachi suits) the groups wear for their performances, but the scenes of the day-to-day life are also done with care, especially when there is drama.
As seen in the film, the young musicians and Coach Abel Acuña prepare to compete in the San Antonio Mariachi Extravaganza National Group Competition and the UIL State Competition.
Following the Sundance Film Festival 2023 premiere, where the film won the festival’s Jonathan Oppenheim Editing Award for U.S. Documentary and SXSW, the documentary formed a part of multiple film festivals, including the AFI Latin American Film Festival and Cine las Americas International Film Festival in May 2024 here in Austin.
Going Varsity in Mariachi is a production of Osmosis Films and Fifth Season. The film begins streaming on Netflix on Thursday, August 29, 2024.
Source: SXSW, Netflix