In his article, “Imagined Borders: Locating Chicano Cinema in America”, Chon A. Noriega gives us background stories of how Chicanos used film to get their messages across during and when it began. Many people used this form of art to express what Chicanos had been going through during the Chicano movement. After a few Chicano students had gotten different films out expressing their thoughts and feelings about the events that were going more and more students began to do the same. These short films led to different shows being produced as well and speaking on what others would not say on other television sources. The first program that had discussed anything that was going on with the Chicano movement was PBS, but there had been a meeting to vote for this or against this and out of the two hundred people that had attended only four voted “yes”. As Noriega’s article continues he draws the connection between “El Plan Espiritual de Aztlán” and the movement of the Chicano cinema. Because El Plan mentions that “writers, poets, artists, etc.” take charge in making it be known what is going on I believe the Chicano cinema falls completely into this category. In their own way either if it is a film of people talking about their experience or of pictures of what is going on the film makers are getting their word across either way. He also discusses how hard Trevino had worked in order to keep the few Chicanos working in the station especially when one show ended and he continued to work to have them on for a next one. These shows had been the only way Chicanos can get information or feel relatable to other Chicanos about the events that had occurred. Another form that had helped keep others tuned in and intrigued was through folk music.
The Chicano Family
CHS 486 – Cal State University Dominguez Hills
Hello,
Chicana/o films are great films to watch specially when they are messages that need to be shared out into society. Very few times we see Chicana/o films in the media. However, it is good to see how individual get encourage watching films from the Chicano movement to help develop their expressions. If more students would get inspired to see films involving the movements, perhaps we would have more Chicano films. On the contras, I agree with you when you say that Chicanos cinema fall to different categories. Chicana/o film for the most part in documentaries tend to be engaging because filmmakers discuss important issues to let other aware of what is going on. Exposing Chicano cinema to other can help increase to bring more interested in being part of films.
Hello,
It was very interesting how Chicanos used films to inform others about what was going on during that time. I believe that it was a very smart way to also encourage others to join in and take part of the problem that was going on. I believe that during the Chicano movement this way of informing others through films was such a great idea because it focused on what young students wanted to get across. It is no surprise that only a few people voted yes. I like how you mentioned another way was through folk music, because indeed through folk music also identifies Chicanos, and their struggles.
Thanks for a great share, and summarizing this weeks reading material. I embrace the fact that Chicanos began to use art as a means to get their sociopolitical message out to the public when it came to Chicano experiences. However, like Rodriguez and Morales, I really wish that the filmmakers would make more of an effort to challenge the patriarchy that persists in both society and the Chicana/o family structure. It really upsets me that Chicanos in films are hyper masculine and women hypersexual. Or, males are perceived as hardcore thugs, jailbirds, criminals, gang bangers, gardeners, while women are maids or relegated to the good wife and mother roles- we need more images of the “Anna” that go off to college like in the film Real Women Have Curves despite what “la familia” wanted her to do with her life- we need images of other realities that show Chicanas taking on successful careers as lawyers, poets, writers, or professors, as well as male roles that represent a more egalitarian family with men and women equal, staying away from roles that depict the machismo dad, or brother.
That’s a great point about how Chicanas and Chicanos are portrayed in film and the way Real Women have curves pushes against that. One of the many things I love about that film is that it’s her father and grandfather who are supporting her emotionally as she leaves home for college. That image of the Chicano who cares for his family and supports his children emotionally as well as materially is one we don’t see enough of at all.
As i’ve mentioning in all the other first reader posts, i really loved this weeks readings, i’m an inspiring filmmakers so this text was just something i was really drawn too. as i was reading it i was thinking about how i wish there was more Chicana/o films and also how cool it would be to have a course at school that would be like the study of Chicana cinema, i would have died to have taken a class like that!
Hi!
I think your post was very informative and concise! I never used to think about the importance of theatre arts within the Chicana/o movement until reading about its impact decades later. After awhile, I started paying attention to portrayals too and I realized how these portrayals often contradict the work Chicanas/os were dedicating the movement too. They were so upset over the marginalization they were experiencing and the negative stereotypes that surrounded their community, however, in modern days, those stereotypes are still around because of the media. I feel like instead of moving forward and keeping the movement alive, a lot of people have forgotten about it. I wonder if the Chicana/o community can hold some kind of blame for the constant misrepresentations of their people on television because if they really wanted it to stop, they would do anything possible to make it known that they will not tolerate that disrespect anymore.