Next exit up: Disney world premiere hits home for local family

Photo By Ronna Schelby | The Mejia family: left to right: Anakin, Lyessa, Graciella and Antonin. The family took part in the world premiere and free screening of Disney’s new movie “McFarland, USA” at Heaton Hall Auditorium in Landstuhl Regional Medical Center Feb. 7. Lyessa is from Delano, Calif. one exit up from McFarland, where the movie takes place. The film was shown a second time at Ramstein KMCC later that day. (Photo by Ronnie Schelby, 21st TSC Public Affairs)  

KAISERSLAUTERN, RP, GERMANY

02.25.2015

Story by Ronna Schelby 

21st Theater Sustainment Command

KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany - Members of the Kaiserslautern Military Community were invited to view the world premiere and free screening of the new Disney movie, “McFarland, USA,” at Heaton Hall Auditorium in Landstuhl Regional Medical Center Feb. 7. About thirty people were on hand to view the film.

Jim Caldwell, senior vice president of Walt Disney Communications, hand-carried the movie here and introduced the movie, saying it was an honor to premiere it to our overseas military community.

"Releasing this film almost two weeks prior to the official release date in the United States is a way to say 'thank you' face-to-face to the Soldiers and service men and women serving here," he said. "It is a way for Disney to show its appreciation, and it is the least we can do."

The event took place because of a joint agreement between the Army and Air Force Exchange Service Exchange and Disney. It is the third time that a movie has premiered for troops prior to being released in the U.S. “McFarland, USA” was shown a second time at the KMCC Gateway Cineplex on Ramstein Air Force Base later that day.

The movie hit home for one movie viewer, Lyessa Mejia. “I’m from Delano, just one exit up from McFarland, Calif. We were definitely the bigger town compared to McFarland,” she said. “McFarland didn’t even have a K-Mart – so everyone had to come to Delano!”

Delano is located seven miles north of McFarland and is known for being the birth place of Cesar Chavez, the famous migrant worker who fought for migrants’ rights.

Augustin Mejia, Lyessa’s husband, a Soldier stationed at Rhine Ordnance Barracks in Kaiserslautern, and originally from Bakersfield, Calif., saw the trailer for the movie while he was redeploying from Turkey. “I had friends who were grape pickers,” he remembered.

“McFarland, USA” is a movie about second chances. The movie, based on real events which occurred in Delano, Calif. in 1987, takes the viewer on a journey into the world of migrant workers, mainly vegetable pickers, who rise up early every day to work in the fields. The film centers on a group of young men who have found cross country running as a way to ultimately change their lives. Jim White, portrayed by actor Kevin Costner, is the cross country coach who believes in these young men, and the results are amazing.

“Disney has a complete section devoted to smaller, inspirational sports films with a lot of heart,” said Caldwell. “They may not be big blockbusters, but they are very important stories to be told.”

Watching the movie brought up many emotions for both of the Mejias.

“The movie was good: I recognized a lot of the area, even though I’ve been gone since 2006,” she said. What I didn’t realize was how poor we were growing up.”

Mejia visits her father, who still lives in Delano, and says she will tell her high school friends to see the movie.

The movie premieres in the U.S. Feb. 27.

• Date Taken: 02.25.2015
• Date Posted: 02.25.2015 08:09
• Story ID: 155334
• Location: KAISERSLAUTERN, RP, DE
• Hometown: BAKERSFIELD, CA, US
• Hometown: DELANO, CA, US