The Harvest

circa 2024

a northwest regional film documentary

The Harvest is a documentary about an annual beet harvest that has taken place annually since the early 1900s. The video presents a story of the sugar beet harvest, not from a land owner’s point of view, but from the view of people who have provided the labor force for more than five generations – primarily Latinx migrants and their descendants. The film presents the economic impact of the beet harvest, generational teachings, and insight into how the Latinx community finds commonality and a sense of place in the act of participating in the harvest.

FEATURING

Carmen Leal
José Oscar Leal
Diana Gonzalez

Production team

Rena Bouchard Zapata, Producer
Regina Zapata, Production Liaison
Roxanne Zapata, Talent Liaison
Robert Adam Torres, Cinematographer / Editor
Gilbert Hernandez, Cinematographer / Editor
Chistopher Espericueta, Cinematographer
Aladdin Bankhead, Editor

Support team

Bienvenida Matias, producing/production management advisor
Kristine Sorensen, producing/editing advisor
Xavier Tavera, script development/cinematography advisor
Sai Thao, cultural storytelling advisor
Kazua Melissa Vang, community engagement

SCREENINGS

The Harvest was originally completed in August 2023 with a second revision completed in 2024. If you would like to host a screening please send us an email by hitting the inquiry button at the bottom of this page.

Photo Documentation

This activity is made possible through the generous support of the McKnight Foundation, The Minnesota Humanities Council, the Minnesota State Arts Board, the Northwest Minnesota Arts Council, and Propel Nonprofits. This activity is made possible in part by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board and the Northwest Minnesota Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.