Born into poverty in Panama, Cirilo McSween’s journey is one of defiance, resilience, and triumph over systemic barriers. Against the backdrop of Jim Crow America, he confronts racism while pursuing the American Dream. From his arrival in the U.S. as an ambitious immigrant to his rise as a trailblazing entrepreneur and civil rights activist, McSween’s life stands as a testament to determination and community. Through tireless advocacy for equality and opportunity, he helped shape both Panama’s identity and Chicago’s civil rights movement. A confidant of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a pioneering insurance executive, and a philanthropist empowering underserved communities, McSween’s story bridges nations and generations. CIRILO, A Legacy Untold illuminates a transformative figure whose legacy continues to inspire across the Americas.
Related Movies
MOTHERLAND (2024)
Having left their home country for almost 20 years, a mother, her son and her daughter reminisce of their days in Armenia and reflect on how radically different their life is now. They also discuss the current political state of the country in the midst of an ongoing war.
GATECRASHER: An All-Women’s Parkour Action Film (2024)
We are beyond excited to introduce “Gatecrashers”, an exhilarating short film celebrating the strong female Parkour community. This film isn’t about gender inequalities or the sexualization of women in Parkour or the experience of being a woman in male-dominated sports. This film is all about highlighting high-class Parkour athletes pushing their boundaries and the boundaries of the sport. “Gatecrashers” follows 8 female Parkour athletes as they travel through three European cities over the course of three weeks, training, exploring and having a great time. This film is for the girl in Parkour class looking for role models who send hard. It’s for the athletes needing motivation to explore their city. It’s for the practitioner looking for new ways to move, and for everyone who played with the idea of giving Parkour a try and hasn’t found the courage to do it yet. If you like to move, this film is for you.
MLK/FBI (2020)
Based on newly declassified files, the film explores the US government’s surveillance and harassment of Martin Luther King, Jr.
In Old Chicago (1938)
The O'Leary brothers -- honest Jack and roguish Dion -- become powerful figures, and eventually rivals, in Chicago on the eve of its Great Fire.
RUNN (2024)
"RUNN" is a heartfelt portrayal of one man’s, Nedd Brockmann’s, extraordinary mission to make a difference. As he runs across Australia raising money for homelessness, we witness Nedd's humour, grit, mullet and profound humanity, reminding us that even in the vastness of the Australian landscape, one person's determination can ignite a movement and change lives for the better.
Queen of the Desert (2012)
Not only has she got pink extensions, painted on eyebrows, glitter stockings and superman hotpants, Starlady’s a youth worker in some of Australia’s most remote and challenging places. And she reckons that hairdressing can improve people’s lives. Like a real life Priscilla, Starlady takes us on a Queen of the Desert journey to Areyonga, an indigenous community in Central Australia, where she’ll work with a group of curious and cheeky young people.
Živeli! Medicine for the Heart (1987)
This little-known Blank gem is a portrait of the Serbian-American communities of Chicago and California, highlighting their history in this country, their music, dancing, and religion.
The Creative High (NaN)
Nine artists—dancers, musicians, and visual artists—in recovery from drug and alcohol addiction are transformed by creativity in their search for identity and freedom. Their stories reveal how art has been a ballast while confronting old addictive habits and finding a portal into the aliveness and spiritual connection of art-making from a unique San Francisco perspective.
I Am the Queen (2011)
In Chicago’s Humboldt Park neighborhood, the Vida/Sida Cacica Pageant brings together members of the Puerto Rican community to celebrate its transgender participants. I Am The Queen follows Bianca, Julissa and Jolizza as they prepare for the pageant under the guidance of Ginger Valdez, an experienced transgender from the neighborhood. These trans women share stories of their transition, their relatives’ varying reactions, and how they find support from within the community. Family dynamics, cultural heritage, and personal identity all play a part in how the contestants face the daily struggle that comes from being true to themselves.
Tetris (2023)
In 1988, American video game salesman Henk Rogers discovers the video game Tetris. When he sets out to bring the game to the world, he enters a dangerous web of lies and corruption behind the Iron Curtain.
The President, April 1968 (1968)
The film captures the pivotal events surrounding President Lyndon Johnson's historic address on March 31st, focusing on his decision to halt bombing in North Vietnam and his surprising announcement not to seek re-election. The speech aimed for peace negotiations amidst the Vietnam War, leading to diplomatic breakthroughs with North Vietnam. It also chronicles the aftermath, including societal unrest following Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination and Johnson's efforts to maintain national unity.
The Woman King (2022)
The story of the Agojie, the all-female unit of warriors who protected the African Kingdom of Dahomey in the 1800s with skills and a fierceness unlike anything the world has ever seen, and General Nanisca as she trains the next generation of recruits and readies them for battle against an enemy determined to destroy their way of life.
Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead (2010)
100 pounds overweight, loaded up on steroids and suffering from a debilitating autoimmune disease, Joe Cross is at the end of his rope and the end of his hope. In the mirror he saw a 310lb man whose gut was bigger than a beach ball and a path laid out before him that wouldn't end well— with one foot already in the grave, the other wasn't far behind. FAT, SICK & NEARLY DEAD is an inspiring film that chronicles Joe's personal mission to regain his health.
Alien Island (2023)
Chile, 1984. As a wave of UFO sightings — and a military dictatorship — sweep the country, a group of short-wave radio operators receive mysterious communications from a nearby island. Through the crackling voices, they learn that a highly developed extraterrestrial race has taken residence on Friendship Island and is offering the listeners the promise of a better world.
Big Red House (2024)
The documentary sheds light on the lives of children who suffered physical and psychological trauma due to the terrorist attacks by Armenia on the eve of the Second Karabakh War.
Secrets of the Abyss (2024)
From shipwrecks to seafloor species, NOAA oceanic scientists work to unlock the secrets of our oceans.
The Plot Against the President (2020)
Based on Lee Smith's book of the same name, this documentary follows the story of the biggest political scandal in U.S. history.
The Trial of the Chicago 7 (2020)
What was supposed to be a peaceful protest turned into a violent clash with the police. What followed was one of the most notorious trials in history.
Simone: Woman of the Century (2022)
Simone Veil's life story through the pivotal events of Twentieth Century. Her childhood, her political battles, her tragedies. An intimate and epic portrait of an extraordinary woman who eminently challenged and transformed her era defending a humanist message still keenly relevant today.
