7 pm

Burgeoning since Morrissey moved to LA, the Latino fan scene is the subject of Is It Really So Strange?, a documentary film by William E. Jones, who immersed himself in fan nights, concerts, and hair grease to record what he found to be a complex world. Embracing teens and twentysomethings from Mexican, Central American, and South American backgrounds, the Latino fan culture is a world away from Morrissey’s UK following, though every bit as fanatical.

That spirit of joyousness appears as much due to cultural heritage as to these fans being a new generation of Morrissey devotees not raised on his miserablist reputation. Mexican American culture is imbued with a devotion to “oldies” from the stage, screen, and stereogram, with the sounds of 1970s soul, doo-wop, and rockabilly long enjoying favor with immigrants to the US. It would seem that Morrissey’s similarity in stage persona to some Mexican pop stars means that he fits right in. His age and status as a Brit in exile also add weight to his popularity. Presented as part of the Bank of America Free Thursday Film Series. 2004; directed by William E. Jones; English; 81 minutes; not rated.
Free ticketed event; tickets available one hour before show