This film was originally selected as an AFI Movie Club pick on October 9, 2020.
STAND AND DELIVER stars Edward James Olmos, Lou Diamond Phillips and Rosana De Soto – and is included on AFI’s 100 YEARS…100 CHEERS list of the most inspiring films of all time.
In this video from the AFI Archive, stars Edward James Olmos and Lou Diamond Phillips talk about STAND AND DELIVER.
DID YOU KNOW? STAND AND DELIVER is based on a real-life math teacher, Jaime Escalante, who shared his passion for calculus at Garfield High School in East Los Angeles for nearly 20 years.
DID YOU KNOW? First-time writer and director Ramon Menendez and his fellow UCLA Film School graduate, Tom Musca, secured the film rights to Jaime Escalante’s story for one dollar. When the project was rejected by independent studios, the filmmakers financed STAND AND DELIVER with grants and endowments from institutions, including PBS!
DID YOU KNOW? Edward James Olmos shadowed Jaime Escalante 18 hours a day and lived in the Escalante home in preparation for his role.
DID YOU KNOW? The film was the debut feature of editor Nancy Richardson (SELENA).
DID YOU KNOW? Edward James Olmos was nominated for a Best Actor Oscar® for his role as Jaime Escalante. STAND AND DELIVER also won six out of 10 Independent Spirit Awards, including Best Picture.
Learn more at the AFI Catalog.
The movie doesn’t end at the credits: Discussion Questions
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