LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — The Latin Chamber of Commerce marked its 50th anniversary Friday with the premiere of a documentary chronicling the organization’s history and its founder, Otto Merida.
Merida founded the Latin Chamber of Commerce in Las Vegas in 1976. He said the documentary, titled “La Leyenda,” is centered on his life and the people who built the chamber.
“So it’s something that I’m very proud of and it’s something that I think it will be there forever,” Merida said.
“The Hispanic community have grown so much and be able to be effective with a tremendous impact in this community,” Merida said.
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A long road to production
Merida described feeling emotional about the film’s premiere.
Current Latin Chamber President Peter Guzman said making the film was one of his biggest goals.
“I’m feeling emotional. I’m feeling inspired. Yeah, you know that this has been a long road getting this produced, but it was important. And here we are. And to have it in a movie theater, the story of Oto Merida and the 50 years of the Latin Chamber, this is a proud day for me,” Guzman said.
“There’s a lot of great moments in the movie, in the docu-film, but getting it done is just so, such a relief. It means I kept my word to this man that I was going to do this and I did it,” Guzman said.
Introducing Merida’s story to a new audience
Guzman said he hopes the documentary introduces Merida’s story to people who may not have known the role he played in shaping Las Vegas.
“It’s so special because we’re a community that matters. And the story’s got to be told on how this wasn’t easy in the beginning. And this story tells that,” Guzman said.
The Latin Chamber says the documentary looks back at the last 50 years, but the organization’s story continues, with the next generation of Latino business owners helping shape what comes next.
The Latin Chamber says it will hold more screenings of the documentary in September as part of Hispanic Heritage Month.
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