Weaving The Past: Walter Dominguez Uncovers His Past And Reshapes His Future

In the early 2000’s, Walter Dominguez was facing middle age, a family crisis, and a nation in turmoil. Set on finding peace within himself, he embarked on a journey that uncovered secrets from the past that would change his life forever. He chronicles his story in the film “Weaving The Past: Journey Of Discovery.”

For Dominguez, his own middle age, combined with his father’s failing health would be the catalyst for his journey.

“It was a nexus of different things. One of them was reaching 50. I turned 50 in 1997. And reaching midlife is in of itself a profound thing. Then my father got sick… your father becoming ill makes you very aware of your mortality. Then came 9/11. It was a number of things compounded – they all came together at the same time. It told me I needed to ‘go inside’ and reflect.”

The pain of an ailing parent only reminded him another painful chapter in his past. He recalled losing his grandfather Tata decades ago – and the guilt he still felt from failing to visit him on his deathbed. Now, as his father lay dying, he reflected on his family history, and realized he had more questions than answers… particularly about his late grandfather Tata. He decided that he would honor his own father by telling the story of his ancestors.

“I basically began as a way to document my father…He was beginning to die from heart disease. I wanted him to see the places I saw and he couldn’t see.”

But again and again, the story would point in the direction of his grandfather Tata, and the mystery that surrounded his younger years. Dominguez had only known Tata as one of the most beloved figures in the rural California town of Santa Paula. He was a well loved minister preaching peace and non-violence. But Tata’s formative years were completely unknown to him, until he met his widow and family.

“When I started getting interviews it was remarkable – I started getting information about my grandfather’s life that I had no idea about before. I realized I had to tell his story within a bigger context.”

Dominguez’s journey reveals an incredible history – a story of peasant revolution against the brutal Mexican dictatorship. The life of peace and non-violence Tata had been known for was preceded by a markedly different life – one of great conviction revolution. Tata was instrumental in an armed revolt against corruption in the Mexican government that would change the country forever. 

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In discovering the rich history of Tata and his ancestors, Weaving The Past ultimately shaped Dominguez’s future. In retrospect, the expedition was one that he and wife Shelley Morrison, (Of Will And Grace fame, who serves as a producer on the film) feel was guided by God – and perhaps even family.

“Walter was led ‘by the hand,’” says Morrison. “He was led where he should go – and by telling the story of his family – all the research that Walter did about that period of time in the Mexican revolution – that added another dimension… We were truly led – there were guiding hands on the other side that helped us.”

Today, Dominguez takes pride in his film – the guilt he felt for being absent during Tata’s final days no longer weighs on his soul.

“I do feel a weight has been lifted. I wish I had been there for him, but I do feel like I have done something that honors him. I feel good about that.

I feel that I’m more in touch with who I am – on a deeper level. Consequently I feel that every day that I have is a gift – and of course, my grandfather was a wonderful example of being kind and being helpful to other people.”

Dominguez and Morrison both hope that the film is a gift to those who see it – one that inspires them to record their own family history.

 “(People) have said they are now inspired to go and explore their family backgrounds…That to me is so gratifying and satisfying to hear. If more people would do that I think we would have a lot of happy people…There has never been a greater opportunity than now to record – in words, in images. It’s so easy now. It just takes the awareness or intention.

Just get together with your family, pull the elder aside, and ask them to tell you about their earlier life. Then just let them talk.”

On May 18^th they will host a benefit gala screening of “Weaving the Past” to benefit the Museum of Social Justice located on historic Olvera Street in Los Angeles where they both sit on the Board.