Kuno Becker

The movie is one of the best American made movie in a long time. The film is based on an amazing gifted young immigrant soccer player living in the barrios of East Los Angeles. Santiago Munez a Mexican born, has an impossible dream playing for a world class team. He is a Mexican cook in Los Angeles, and gets a chance to follow his dream of playing professional soccer. A talent scout with contacts in the United Kingdom spots him a public park in Los Angeles and offers a once in a lifetime chance.

Santiago Munez was born in Mexico, as a young child he played soccer in the unpaved streets in the town that he was born and lived in as a child. his father was a single parent of two children, Santiago being the oldest and his little brother. His mother ran out on them when he was a small child. He lived in Mexico with his grandmother, father and little brother. Santiago’s father wanted a better life for his children, so he decided to make a move to the United States. In order for them to cross the border, they had to find a coyote to do so. When they were crossing the border Santiago had a soccer ball with him that he never let go. He loves to play soccer, since a very young age. As they were crossing he dropped ball and dad told him to leave it but he refuses to do so. He ran back and got it, just in time to get away from the border patrol.

Santiago gets an opportunity to grow up in the United States with his grandmother, brother and his father. In the United States his father works for a gardening company where his father is a gardener. Since, his mother is not around, he has no choice but to work to help the family. Santiago works at night as a busboy in a Chinese restaurant and in the day, he works with his father as a gardener. In addition, he plays soccer for a small local club team called the AJFC, were he is the star of the team. The money that he makes from working, part of it he saves inside a boot in his closet and some of it to help with the bills.

As time goes on, one day he is playing at a local park where he is seen by Glen Foy, an ex-Newcastle soccer player, scout and mechanic. He wants to help Santiago to play for Newcastle, so he calls an agent but he never showed. Glen Foy, then calls on the Newcastle boss to give Santiago an opportunity to try out for the team. He gets the opportunity, but in the process his father steals the money that he had to travel. Santiago’s father wanted, him to do as he did to become part owner of the gardening company. Santiago’s dream and goal was always to become a professional soccer player.

In the process, his grandmother helps him with the plane ticket to England to follow his dream on becoming a professional soccer player. As he goes to try out, he has a few issues and was cut from the team. He then, gets a second chance and makes the team in the process. While he is over in England playing for the team his dad passes away. However, his dad did get a chance to watch him play on television and was very proud of his son. Santiago become part of the team because of his hard work, dedication, commitment and determination to follow his dream. The film ends with Santiago shedding tears of joy while embracing his realized dream. This is a great movie not only for athletes but also for the entire immigrant Hispanic community to see, that dreams to come true, only if you follow them.

Many of the things that, I notice in the movie reminded me of, most of the Latino movies that we screened while in class. There are a few similarities with the Born in East LA movie, in regards to crossing the border and having to work for money to be able to pay for bills and food. I also, noted some similarities with the movie Real Women Have Curves, in which they want to become someone in life and not take after their parents. They want to have their own life and be successful at it. Furthermore, the movie Goal, had some similarities with the show Ugly Betty in which they had determination and would not give up until they reached their goal.

McFarland, USA, is a traditional Disney sports American film, which was directed by Niki Caro, and produced by Mark Ciardi along with Gordon Gray. The movie is based on the true story of a 1987 cross country team, composed of seven Latino high school students of McFarland California. This is a small town with the majority being Mexican immigrants, who have no choice but to work on the fields to provide for their families. Most of the people in this town do not have a high school diploma or a college education. The star of the film played by Kevin Costner (Jim White) became to be, the school’s cross country coach, who with dedication and belief lead the team to win a state championship in 1987. They all had much to learn about each other, as Jim White, realizes the boys exceptional running abilities. This made a huge impact on the boy’s life. In fact, the power of family connection, commitment to each other and their work ethic transforms them into champions, which help each of them to achieve personal dreams.    

 In 1987 coach White worked as a football coach in a school in Idaho. He got fire because of an incident with one of the football players. Soon after, he moved his entire family to McFarland, USA, which was the only place that he can afford with his teacher salary. He got a position as a life science and physical education teachers at McFarland high school. The principal of the school also gave him the position as an assistant coach for the football team. That did not work, and since he notices that the Latino boys were good at running, he became the cross country coach for McFarland high school.

 This is a great inspirational movie for everyone to watch, specially for students that are part of any team in high school. The movie is about perseverance, commitment, and hard work. McFarland is a perfect example, that anything can be accomplish in life if people work hard for it. In fact, the movie demonstrates how the seven Latino boys even with having to go to work early in the morning to the help the family, then run to school and yet still manage to practice with the cross country team for hours after school. However, this became an issue for some of the families because if the boys did not work in the fields, that would be less money for the family. All of the families were immigrant and the only way to have food on the table was to work in the fields. Coach White notice that and began helping the Latino boys to be the best at running and how to be successful. He even went out of his way to tutor them on Saturdays, so that they can pass the SAT test, so that they can further their education.

 With the hard work and dedication, the boys began to improve in their running times. On one of the news article, they began to mention McFarlan as being a contender to make it to State finals. On November 1987, they won a dual race against one of the top cross country team. Then since the team did not have proper gear to wear, the entire community came together and held a fundraising event. It was a success and they got their gear and were ready to compete again. The next competition came on November 26, 1987. The first top four would make it to the State finals and sure enough the McFarland Latino boys came in fourth place. Coach White rewards the boys by taking them to the beach for the first time in their life. They had a blast at the beach and were very appreciative with the coach.

 As a result of their hard work, commitment, dedication, and perseverance the Latino boys made it to the State Finals. All of their family members came out in support at the State Finals. During the competition, Jose started out to fast and did not do well. Danny Dias, who was always last proved to everyone that if you have heart and dedication that all things are possible if you push yourself to the limit. He helped the McFarland cross country team win the State Championship for the first time in twenty-five years. With the help of coach White, Victor Puente’s, Jose Cardenas, Danny Diaz, Damacio Diaz, David Diaz, Johnny Sameniego, and Thomas Valles all continued their education and became successful members of the community of McFarland. Coach White continue to coach for a few more years at McFarland high school where he won a few more State Championships. He then retired from teaching and still lives in the city of McFarland.

 “We fly like black birds through the orange groves floating on a warm wind. When we run, we own the earth. The land is ours, we speak the bird’s language. Not immigrants no more! Not stupid Mexicans! When we run our spirits fly, we speak to the Gods. When we run we are the Gods”. (Jose Cardenas)

 “America got to go bigger, nicer place better pay, better everything. Everyone is always going to go for the better everything. That’s why no one stays in McFarland unless they have to”. (Thomas)

“There is nothing about American dream about this place”. (Thomas)