Hero Street: A Historical Documentary Film Series

Veterans Day Program to be held at Hero Street November 11th

The City of Silvis has announced that it will hold a special Veterans Day Service at Hero Street Memorial Park in Silvis, Illinois on Saturday, November 11 at 11:00 a.m.

Col. Daniel Mitchell, Commander, U.S. Army Garrison Rock Island Arsenal will join U.S. Congressman Eric Sorensen, and Brian Munos U.S. Navy (Ret.) for the special service honoring our military Veterans.

Those who attend the service are reminded to bring lawn chairs.

Veterans Day is a federal holiday in which Americans recognize those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces.

“On this Veterans Day, let us remember the service of our veterans, and let us renew our national promise to fulfill our sacred obligations to our veterans and their families who have sacrificed so much so that we can live free.” ~Dan Lipinski

Davenport Civil Rights Commission presents Emmy-nominated “An Infantryman from Hero Street” Oct. 28

 

Emmanuel Juarez as Joe Sandoval of Hero Street in Silvis, Illinois.

“An Infantryman from Hero Street”, a new Emmy-nominated documentary by filmmakers Kelly and Tammy Rundle of Fourth Wall Films, will screen Saturday, October 28th at 3:00 p.m. at the Davenport Public Library—Eastern Avenue Branch, 6000 Eastern Avenue, Davenport, Iowa. A Q&A with the Rundles will follow the film. This special event is free to the public and sponsored by Davenport Civil Rights Commission.

“An Infantryman from Hero Street,” the fourth episode in the "Hero Street" documentary series, tells the true story of Pvt. Joseph Sandoval who was born in a boxcar to Mexican immigrants in the Silvis, Illinois rail yard. In 1944 Joe, married with two young sons, was drafted and shipped to Britain with the 41st Armored Infantry Regiment. His unit helped fight the second stage of the Normandy Invasion in France. In April 1945, the Allied forces reached an agreement regarding post-war Germany, and Joe and his fellow soldiers were told the war was essentially over. Joe was killed just days later during a German counter attack near the Elbe River in Schönebeck, Germany. In the two weeks that followed, U.S. and Russian troops shook hands across the Elbe, and Adolph Hitler committed suicide.

Brothers Eric and Emmanuel Juarez star as brothers Frank and Joe Sandoval in the Emmy-nominated "An Infantryman from Hero Street".

Only a block and a half long, Second Street in Silvis, Illinois lost six young men in World War II and two in the Korean War, more than any other street in America. Hero Street, as it is now known, has provided over 150 service members since Mexican-American immigrants settled there in 1929.

“Hero Street,” a multi-part documentary series by Emmy Award-winning Fourth Wall Films explores the compelling true story of eight Mexican-American heroes from Hero Street, USA in Silvis, Illinois: Tony Pompa, Frank Sandoval, William Sandoval, Claro Solis, Peter Masias, Joseph Sandoval, Joseph Gomez and John S. Muños.

“[The Rundles’] beautiful Hero Street series will be a monumental, lasting legacy to ensure that current and future generations will be sure to recognize and salute the selfless patriotism of these families, showing an inspiring example to us all.” Jonathan Turner, Digital News/Entertainment - WHBF

Joe Sandoval and his wife Nellie.

"An Infantryman from Hero Street" stars Emmanuel Juarez as Joseph Sandoval, Eric Juarez reprising his role as Joe’s brother Frank Sandoval, and actor Matt Walsh as Lt. Frank Houcek. The film features commentary by First Army Support Command Historian Captain Kevin Braafladt, Rock Island Arsenal; author Marc Wilson “Hero Street, USA”; author Carlos Harrison "The Ghosts of Hero Street"; author/historian John C. McManus “September Hope”; and members of the Sandoval family.

The “Hero Street” theme music was scored by Emmy® nominated composer William Campbell of Davenport. WQPT-PBS provided its broadcast studio for filming portions of the documentary. WQPT’s Lora Adams assisted with production, and Chris Ryder created special visual and sound effects. WQPT previously partnered with Fourth Wall Films in 2015 to co-produce the Mid-America Emmy nominated "Letters Home to Hero Street”.

“An Infantryman from Hero Street” was funded in part by a grant from the Illinois Humanities, with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) and the Illinois General Assembly; a grant from the Moline Foundation; and, through its fiscal sponsor the Black Box Theatre, a Quad City Arts Dollars grant provided by Illinois Arts Council Agency, Hubbell-Waterman Foundation and John Deere.

Tammy & Kelly Rundle of Fourth Wall Films at the Emmys.

Fourth Wall Films is an award-winning and four-time Emmy® winning independent film and video production company formerly located in Los Angeles, and now based in Moline, Illinois. For more information visit HeroStreetMovie.com.

LA Times: 14th OC Film Fiesta finds a home for this year’s ‘amazing lineup’

Kelly and Tammy Rundle of Fourth Wall Films are honored that their Emmy-nominated documentary "An Infantryman from Hero Street" is among the films being showcased at the 14th Annual OC Film Fiesta in Santa Ana, California. The documentary screens in the Documentary Short Block on Saturday, October 14th at 6:00 p.m. More information can be found at https://masamedia.org/ocfilmfiesta2023/.

  
Manny Juarez portrays Joseph Sandoval in AN INFANTRYMAN FROM HERO STREET.

"We are very proud of all involved in "An Infantryman from Hero Street: Joseph Sandoval's Story". This film could not have been completed without the generous support of our contributors; our grantors the Illinois Humanities, the Moline Foundation; our actors: Emmanuel Juarez (Joe Sandoval), Eric Juarez (Frank Sandoval), and Matt Walsh (Lt. Houcek); our historians: Marc Wilson, Capt. Kevin Braafladt, John C. McManus and Carlos Harrison; and Joe's family who so graciously shared their memories and photos in the film: Georgia Sandoval Herrara, Tanilo Sandoval, Irene Mawson and Henry Sandoval. We are deeply grateful to ALL of those who have been so supportive of the work on this film and the entire Hero Street documentary series." Kelly & Tammy Rundle

A great write-up on the OC Film Fiesta appeared in the Los Angeles Times October 5th. We have included an excerpt here. You can read the rest of the article by clicking on the LA Times link below!

Los Angeles Times
BY SARAH MOSQUEDA STAFF WRITER 

A still from “100 Ways to Cross the Border,” directed by Amber Bay Bemak, is among the films screening at 14th annual OC Film Fiesta. (Courtesy of Media Arts Santa Ana)

For the past 13 years, the annual OC Film Fiesta has taken place all around Orange County.

“We started in 2010 with the focus of celebrating the anniversary of the Mexican Revolution of 1901,” said Victor Payan, director of Media Arts Santa Ana (MASA) and founder of the OC Film Fiesta. “So we had a lot of films about Mexico and the revolution, but from around the world, and from that we have gone on to showcase different cultures that are in Orange County.”

Touted as “the premier cinematic celebration of the nation’s diversity and multicultural heritage” and presented by MASA, the 14th OC Film Fiesta takes place virtually and in-person from Oct. 12 to 29, featuring films from Mexico, Argentina, Valenzuela, Italy, Spain, Greece, Iran, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, China and Taiwan.

This year’s Film Fiesta includes everything from features, shorts, documentaries and experimental films dealing with human stories, comedy, artist profiles, history, rock music, surfing, police brutality, immigration and refugees.

“We received a record number of entries from around the world this year, and we are excited to once again offer an amazing lineup of independent films that truly deliver on representing Orange County,” Payan said.

Film lovers can find festival passes, which provide priority admission to all festival screenings and events, for $75 at ocfilmfiesta2023.eventive.org. A Virtual Only pass is available for $50.

“TVGB’s is a digital makers space, and this is the second year we are having the festival in our space,” said Payan. “It is centrally located, 17th and Main (Santa Ana, California), close to the Bowers, close to Santa Ana College.”

Read the rest of the LA Times story by clicking HERE!

Only a block and a half long, Second Street in Silvis, Illinois lost six young men in World War II and two in the Korean War, more than any other street in America. Hero Street, as it is now known, has provided over 150 service members since Mexican-American immigrants settled there in 1929.

“Hero Street,” a multi-part documentary series by Fourth Wall Films, explores the compelling true story of eight Mexican-American heroes from Hero Street, USA in Silvis, Illinois: Tony Pompa, Frank Sandoval, William Sandoval, Claro Solis, Peter Masias, Joseph Sandoval, Joseph Gomez and John S. Muños.

Fourth Wall Films is an award-winning and Emmy® winning independent film and video production company formerly located in Los Angeles, and now based in Moline, Illinois. For more information visit HeroStreetMovie.com.

To purchase the documentaries on DVD click HERE.

Buried Stories: William Louis Sandoval (1923-1944)

William Louis Sandoval drawing in Fourth Wall Films' "A Bridge Too Far from Hero Street" by Bruce Walters

By Bruce Walters
for the River Cities Reader

William “Willie” Louis Sandoval was struck down by a machine gunner near the end of the Second World War. His death came after having served 151 days on the front line in Italy; after parachuting behind Nazi lines in Northern Europe. He was just 21 years old.

Willie was the son of Mexican immigrants. His family brought him to Silvis, Illinois in 1925, when he was two years old. The family first lived in railroad box cars, uninsulated against the brutal cold of winter and heat of summer. In 1937, they moved to a block designated by the city for the immigrant workers and their families. The street was without sewage, running water, and electricity. His mother died after giving birth to twin boys when Willie was 13. Both twins also died within hours.

Within a year of his graduation from East Moline High School, Willie enlisted in the Army. He was assigned to Company F, Second Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division.

He was first deployed in Italy, parachuting into the Salerno region to reinforce the Allied beachhead during Operation Avalanche. Advancing towards Rome, his regiment helped to liberate Naples. On January 22, 1944, his unit made an amphibious landing in Anzio, where they would fight for eight weeks. When they fought in San Pietro, a third of his unit were killed in battle or by disease.

On September 17, the 504th took part in Operation Market Garden, a massive Allied operation intended to create an invasion route into Germany. Willie’s regiment crossed the 400-yard Waal River completely exposed to German fire in collapsible wood-and-canvas boats. Nearly half of the unit suffered casualties, yet his battalion succeeded in seizing the river's strategic bridge that crossed over the river. The entire operation, however, failed when the next bridge at Arnhem was not seized. The operation would be the basis for the book and film A Bridge Too Far.

Willie’s father received a telegram informing him that his son was missing in action as of October 6, 1944. One year and a day later, his family was notified that he was killed in action during an attack near Zyfflich, Germany.

His body was never recovered.

Read the rest of the story at RIVER CITIES READER-Here!

Only a block and a half long, Second Street in Silvis, Illinois lost six young men in World War II and two in the Korean War, more than any other street in America. Hero Street, as it is now known, has provided over 150 service members since Mexican-American immigrants settled there in 1929.

“Hero Street,” a multi-part documentary series by Fourth Wall Films, explores the compelling true story of eight Mexican-American heroes from Hero Street, USA in Silvis, Illinois: Tony Pompa, Frank Sandoval, William Sandoval, Claro Solis, Peter Masias, Joseph Sandoval, Joseph Gomez and John S. Muños.

Fourth Wall Films is an award-winning and Emmy® winning independent film and video production company formerly located in Los Angeles, and now based in Moline, Illinois. For more information visit HeroStreetMovie.com.

To purchase the documentaries on DVD click HERE.

“An Infantryman from Hero Street” by Emmy-winning QC Filmmakers Screens at Silvis Library August 21

“An Infantryman from Hero Street”, a new documentary by Emmy Award-winning filmmakers Kelly and Tammy Rundle of Fourth Wall Films, will screen Monday, August 21 at 6:00 p.m. at the Silvis Public Library, 806 1st Ave, Silvis, Illinois. A Q&A with the Rundles will follow the film. Seating is limited. The documentary recently received an Emmy nomination.

“An Infantryman from Hero Street,” the fourth episode in the "Hero Street" documentary series, tells the true story of Pvt. Joseph Sandoval who was born in a boxcar to Mexican immigrants in the Silvis, Illinois rail yard. In 1944 Joe, married with two young sons, was drafted and shipped to Britain with the 41st Armored Infantry Regiment. His unit helped fight the second stage of the Normandy Invasion in France. In April 1945, the Allied forces reached an agreement regarding post-war Germany, and Joe and his fellow soldiers were told the war was essentially over. Joe was killed just days later during a German counter attack near the Elbe River in Schönebeck, Germany. In the two weeks that followed, U.S. and Russian troops shook hands across the Elbe, and Adolph Hitler committed suicide.

The documentary stars Emmanuel Juarez as PFC Joseph Sandoval, Eric Juarez reprising his role as Joe’s brother PFC Frank Sandoval, and actor Matt Walsh as 1st Lt Frank Houcek. The film features commentary by First Army Support Command Historian 1st Lt Kevin Braafladt, Rock Island Arsenal; authors Marc Wilson “Hero Street, USA”, Carlos Harrison "The Ghosts of Hero Street" and John C. McManus “September Hope”; and members of Joe Sandoval’s family, including Tanilo Sandoval, Henry Sandoval, Georgia Herrera and Irene Mawson.

The “Hero Street” film serie’s opening theme was scored by award-winning and Emmy® nominated composer William Campbell of Davenport.

WQPT-PBS provided its broadcast studio for filming portions of the documentary. WQPT’s Lora Adams assisted with production, and Chris Ryder created special visual and sound effects. WQPT-PBS previously partnered with Fourth Wall Films in 2015 to co-produce the Mid-America Emmy nominated "Letters Home to Hero Street” which tells the story of Frank Sandoval who died while serving in Burma, India during WWII.

Only a block and a half long, Second Street in Silvis, Illinois lost six young men in World War II and two in the Korean War, more than any other street in America. Hero Street, as it is now known, has provided over 150 service members since Mexican-American immigrants settled there in 1929.

“Hero Street,” a multi-part documentary series by Fourth Wall Films, explores the compelling true story of eight Mexican-American heroes from Hero Street, USA in Silvis, Illinois: Tony Pompa, Frank Sandoval, William Sandoval, Claro Solis, Peter Masias, Joseph Sandoval, Joseph Gomez and John S. Muños.

Fourth Wall Films is an award-winning and Emmy® winning independent film and video production company formerly located in Los Angeles, and now based in Moline, Illinois. For more information visit HeroStreetMovie.com.

"Infantryman from Hero Street" receives Emmy nomination

 

We are very pleased to announce that our documentary "An Infantryman from Hero Street" has received a Mid-America Emmy nomination!

 

Congratulations to the MANY people and the Hero Street community who made this important film possible. We are deeply grateful to Lora Adams and WQPT-PBS.

 

A note of special recognition and thanks goes out to our 'storytellers': Tanilo Sandoval (and family), Georgia Sandoval Herrera (and Norbert Herrera & Pauline Callen), Henry Sandoval (and family), Irene Mawson (and Bonnie Patton & Thomasa Shadden), Marc Wilson, Capt. Kevin Braafladt, John C. McManus, Carlos Harrison; and to our dedicated and talented cast: Emmanuel Juarez, Eric Juarez and Matt Walsh. Also to Chris Ryder and Lora Adams for their creative assistance and support on this project, and to Hero Street theme composer William Campbell.

 

This documentary film series would not be possible without the generous support of our donors, supporters and our sponsors. Fundraising is the most challenging part of the work we do. These stories we tell would not be preserved if not for the many wonderful people who have contributed to this important project. To say we are grateful is an understatement.

 

This Emmy nomination is for 'the boys'--the Hero Street eight.

 

Below we share WHBF's coverage of the story! 

QC producers earn five Emmy nominations

by: Jonathan Turner, WHBF

Fourth Wall Films, Moline, is looking to add to its growing stable of regional Emmy awards, as its films earned their 12^th and 13^th Emmy nominations Thursday.

The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, Mid-America chapter, gave the husband-and-wife team of Kelly and Tammy Rundle new nominations in the following categories:

• Documentary, Historical: “An Infantryman From Hero Street”
• Environment/Science – Short Form Content: “Places To Be Wild”

Read the rest of WHBF reporter Jonathan Turner's story on the QC Emmy nominations HERE!

Emmy-winning filmmaker to speak at Hispanic Chamber's Speaker's Series luncheon July 10

Tammy & Kelly Rundle of Moline-based Fourth Wall Films have been awarded four regional Emmys for their documentary work.

Story by: Jonathan Turner
WHBF-TV4 OurQuadCities.com

The Greater Quad Cities Hispanic Chamber of Commerce will present Moline filmmaker Kelly Rundle with Fourth Wall Films on Monday, July 10, in the next multicultural speaker series.

The presentation will focus on Fourth Wall Films sharing their story about building connections in the Latino community and creating a multi-part Hero Street historical documentary film series. Rundle will discuss how they built new relationships and established trust with the Hero Street families and members of the community.

Moline-based Fourth Wall Films has completed four films so far in the planned nine-documentary series on the Hero Street war heroes.

The Multicultural Speaker Series seeks to provide an opportunity for attendees to enhance cultural awareness, fulfill diversity education needs, increase integration into the community, and expand networks across community sectors, according to a Thursday release from the Hispanic Chamber. The Multicultural Speaker Series is sponsored by Black Hawk College, Eastern Iowa Community Colleges District and WQPT is a media sponsor.

REGISTRATION REQUIRED: The Multicultural Speaker Series will be held at noon Monday, July 10th, at Black Hawk College in the Sustainable Technology Building Rooms 113/114, 6600 34th Ave., Moline. Admittance for the event, which includes lunch, is $15 for Hispanic Chamber members and $20 for non-members. Group and student rates are available for the Hispanic Chamber series. To find out more or to register for the July 10 event, visit www.gqchcc.com or call 563-214-5160.

Read the rest of WHBF reporter Jonathan Turner's story HERE!

A Special Thank You "In Memory of Connie Sandoval"

Kelly and I want to extend our deep gratitude to the generous people who donated to our Hero Street Documentary Series In Memory of Connie Sandoval. We are all missing this beautiful and kind woman. Connie and Tanilo have long been supportive of our work on the documentary project about Silvis' Hero Street eight.

We cannot express enough how very thankful we are to each of you for honoring Connie's memory in this way, and for helping us continue on this important journey.

We will include this special In Memory Tribute to Connie Sandoval in the credits of the documentary films and on the HeroStreetMovie.com "Sponsors & Supporters" page.

WE REMEMBER CONNIE SANDOVAL WITH FULL HEARTS AND DEEP GRATITUDE

ALWAYS AND FOREVER.

“Hero Street” Documentaries air on WQPT-PBS Memorial Day May 29th

Four of the completed films from Fourth Wall Films’ award-winning Hero Street documentary series will air on WQPT-PBS (Channel 24) on Memorial Day, Monday, May 29^th.

Honoring the memory of the Hero Street Eight and all of the U.S. military personnel who have died while serving in the United States armed forces, WQPT will broadcast:

• "Riding the Rails to Hero Street" airs at 7 pm
• "Letters Home to Hero Street" (Frank Sandoval's story) - An Emmy-nominated co-production of WQPT and Fourth Wall Films - at 7:30 pm
• "A Bridge too Far from Hero Street" (William Sandoval's story) at 8 pm
• "An Infantryman from Hero Street" (Joseph Sandoval's story) at 8:30 pm

“Hero Street,” a multi-part documentary series by Kelly and Tammy Rundle of Fourth Wall Films, explores the compelling true story of eight Mexican-American heroes from Hero Street, USA in Silvis, Illinois: Tony Pompa, Frank Sandoval, William Sandoval, Claro Solis, Peter Masias, Joseph Sandoval, Joseph Gomez and John S. Muños.

Only a block and a half long, Second Street in Silvis, Illinois lost six young men in World War II and two in the Korean War, more than any other street in America. Hero Street, as it is now known, has provided over 150 service members since Mexican-American immigrants settled there in 1929.

“[The Rundles’] beautiful Hero Street series will be a monumental, lasting legacy to ensure that current and future generations will be sure to recognize and salute the selfless patriotism of these families, showing an inspiring example to us all.” Jonathan Turner, Digital News/Entertainment - WHBF

The Rundles are currently in production on the fifth in the series, “The Last to Fall from Hero Street” (John Muños’ Story) which is slated for release in early 2024.

The documentaries were funded in part by grants from the Illinois Humanities, and Humanities Iowa with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) and the Illinois General Assembly; the Moline Foundation; RDA; Quad Cities Community Foundation; and, through its fiscal sponsor the Black Box Theatre a Quad City Arts Dollars grant provided by Illinois Arts Council Agency, Hubbell-Waterman Foundation and John Deere.

Fourth Wall Films is an award-winning and four-time Emmy® winning independent film and video production company formerly located in Los Angeles, and now based in Moline, Illinois. For more information visit HeroStreetMovie.com.

To purchase the documentaries on DVD click HERE.

A special guest to visit Hero Street on Friday

Ambassador Reyna Torres Mendivil is the Consul General of Mexico in Chicago.

By Jonathan Turner
WHBF, OurQuadCities.com

On Friday, May 26, at 11:30 a.m., there will be a special wreath-laying ceremony at the Hero Street Monument and Hero Street Memorial Park, Silvis.

Ambassador Reyna Torres Mendivil is the Consul General of Mexico in Chicago and will visit Hero Street for the ceremony. This is the first time a Consul General of Mexico has ever visited Hero Street.

Maria Mier Llaca of Moline arranged the event, since she often attends Mexico’s Independence Day festivities in September, in Chicago or other cities. She first met Ambassador Torres in 2019 and kept in touch with her. Llaca’s father brought the Mexican Consul General from Chicago to Moline for a visit over 50 years ago.

“I mentioned that we had seven Mexican-Americans who were killed in action from that street. But one of them happened to be a Mexican national when he was killed. He was not an American citizen,” Llaca said Tuesday of the Hero Street Eight. “So that caught her eye. And so I have to tell her, if you ever would like to come to that part of the area, call me and I’ll be more than happy to arrange something, but we kept as friends. We kept up our friendship.”

Read the rest of the WHBF story HERE!

~ ~ ~

“Hero Street,” a multi-part documentary series by Fourth Wall Films, explores the compelling true story of eight Mexican-American heroes from Hero Street, USA in Silvis, Illinois: Tony Pompa, Frank Sandoval, William Sandoval, Claro Solis, Peter Masias, Joseph Sandoval, Joseph Gomez and John S. Muños.

ORDER THE DVD HERE!