On February 28, 2026 Discos Rolas & dublab presented a 50th anniversary of Chulas Fronteras (1976), newly restored in 4K, paired with the short Del Mero Corazón (1979). Directed by Les Blank and Chris Strachwitz, Chulas Fronteras (Beautiful Borders) celebrates the famed Mexican-American musicians of the borderlands, the migrant farming communities from which they come, the strong family bonds of Tejanos, and the social protest ethos inscribed in their music. From joyous, lively dance tunes to soulful, political work songs, musica norteña fuses traditional Mexican harmonies with central European dancehall rhythms. The film brims with tender affection for its subjects, the vitality of their marvelous music, and the generosity of spirit that they show in the face of hardship. Del Mero Corazón (Straight from the Heart), directed by Les Blank and Maureen Gosling, is a lyrical journey through the heart of Chicano culture as reflected in the love songs of the conjunto tejano and musica norteña traditions. The film was constructed from outtakes from Chulas Fronteras and additional footage shot in California.

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The episode features a conversation about the films between filmmaker Maureen Gosling (editor of Chulas Fronteras and co-director of Del Mero Corazón), Juan Antonio Cuéllar (longtime archivist of Arhoolie Records’ Frontera Collection), and Alex E. Chávez (University of Notre Dame) moderated by Alexandra Lippman (Discos Rolas, dublab, and Pomona). Plus, DJ sets Sonido Sabotaje (Monterrey, Mexico), Trucha Soul (Austin, TX), Sonido Sapo (LA), Ganas (dublab & Discos Rolas), Cherilyn Flan, and Xandão.