The 1997 biographical film, Selena, tells the story of the life and career of late Tejano star Selena Quintanilla-Perez. As a young Mexican-American girl growing up in Corpus Christi, TX, Selena and her family band find success in Tejano music. After some struggles identifying with her Mexican roots, she overcomes this, learns to sing in Spanish and quickly becomes a rising star, conquering the Spanish charts. Selena and her family live out the American Dream as they tour across the country performing for sold out arenas. As she is set to become the first female singer to cross over from Spanish to English markets, her dreams are cut short when she is murdered by the President of her own fan club at the very young age of 23.
Throughout the film, issues of cultural identity are a main theme. Selena is raised in a predominantly English speaking society to Mexican-American parents. Her father Abraham formed the family band with young Selena as the lead singer, her brother AB on the guitar, and her sister Susie on the drums. He named the band “Selena y los Dinos” after the teenage boy band he was in. After very little success performing at school dances and fairs, Abraham suggests that Selena learn to sing in Spanish, despite the fact that she doesn’t speak the language. Selena tells her father, “I don’t want to learn to sing in Spanish! I don’t even like Spanish music. I like Donna Summer” Abraham tells her she has to sing from the inside, from what she is, and she is Mexican-American, between two worlds, and that’s tough: “The Americans jump all over us because we don’t speak perfect English, and then the Mexicans jump all over us because we don’t speak perfect Spanish.” So Selena learns from her father to sing Spanish and eventually to speak it. As Selena accepts her heritage, she discovers how to balance the two cultures and draws from them both to create her own style. Selena is very relatable for many of us who struggle with cultural identity and figuring out where we fit in within society.
Director Gregory Nava does a great job in showing the gender barriers that Selena and her family break. At the time, Tejano music was dominated by men. Despite Selena’s talent, she was passed up by recording studios because it just wasn’t accepted to be a woman in Tejano music. Selena and her family did not give up but continued to perform and tour. With her talent for fashion, amazing voice, and sexy yet humble image, Selena is able to win crowds over and break into the Tejano world, rising to the top of the Spanish charts while breaking gender stereotypes. Another noteworthy character is Selena’s sister Susie who after initially complaining that girls don’t play the drums, becomes a very accomplished drummer for the band.
The film also focuses on issues of race. Selena’s family feel that because of their race, they have to work extra hard to be successful. They feel that being Latino in America means not being fully accepted by the Anglo community or by the Latino community. Selena’s dad points this out when he tells his daughter that, “she must be “more Mexican than most Mexicans and more American than most Americans.” Selena’s dad is unsure how successful their Spanish albums will be with the American people and he decides to have Selena sing in English and to release her first English crossover album. While Selena prepares to release her first English album, she confronts the president of her fan club who is also the bookkeeper for her fashion boutique, about some financial discrepancies. As Selena confronts Yolanda about the stolen checks, she is shot and killed in a heartbreaking scene showing actual news footage from the real life event. The film ends with family and fans conducting a vigil for the slain star.
Selena is one of my favorite movies for many reasons. Being a Mexican-American female who also does not speak Spanish, I can truly identify with the struggles Selena went through as a young girl. You never quite know where you fit it. Selena shows us that you can overcome these struggles. You can identify with your roots while still being American. Selena also broke gender stereotypes and proved to be a strong, independent woman and a role model. She found success in just being herself and letting people accept her for who she was. Sadly, her dream was cut short at such a young age, but her life will be forever memorialized in this beautiful film.
This is a great post! I really enjoyed reading about Selena. Years ago, I actually started to watch the movie but only saw the first ten or fifteen minutes of it. Not sure why I never went back to watch the rest, but wish that I had, because it seems to be a very good movie, and I like Jennifer Lopez as an actress. I never knew how Selena died, and that she was killed by the President of her fan club at the age of 23. She was very talented, especially being able to sing in Spanish, and speak the language.
This movie really does show not only the struggles of female artist, but also the struggles that many Mexican Americans face. I can totally relate to what the father says about Mexicans laughing at us and Americans not accepting us. It is hard to fit in to either group!! So many Latino people insist on speaking to me in Spanish and when I tell them I do not speak Spanish they get so upset. Once I was told I was disgusting and had no culture! This was a great post totally relatable to many of us “pocho/as” (Pocho, pocha fem. is a term used by native-born Mexicans to describe Chicanos and those who have left Mexico. Typically, pochos speak English and lack fluency in Spanish. Among some pochos, the term has been embraced to express pride in having both a Mexican and an American heritage asserting their place in the diverse American culture.)
This is a favorite film of mine also. I remember seeing the film when I was fourteen years old, and I remember watching on the news when the real Selena was killed shortly before the movie came out. I also remember there was a lot of controversy over the fact that Jennifer Lopez who it Puerto Rican was playing the part, and the Mexican community felt that a Mexican girl should play the part. However, Jennifer Lopez nailed the part in my opinion. Your blog was well thought out, and I appreciated the fact that you were able to relate to the film in ways. It is so hard to grow up in the world today, and it is sad that there is the added pressure of ethnic communities and race might have on a child. I grew up Jewish, and I remember that I would hide it as a child, because I would hear my friends parents making derogatory jokes. So I know how it is to not fit in or know where you belong.
That was a part of the film I felt like I also really related to, you feel like you don’t really belong in either situation. Also, when they were really worried about how the crowd would react to her imperfect Spanish. When I go to Mexico or any Spanish speaking country I am immediately judged for my poor/choppy Spanish. On the other hand if I speak English I am judged even more, there is no winning. I try really hard to improve my Spanish, but it make sit hard to do so when the Spanish speakers won’t take you seriously.
So. Much. Yes.
I remember watching this movie over and over again when I was growing up, happy because I could identify with the characters. I was only 11 when this movie debuted in 1997 and didn’t really understand the subtle nuances in the film or the allusions that were made to racial issues… I just liked the music! Viewing as an adult, however, there is so much more to this story than just singing and dancing. It is a complex story that deals not just with racism, but with classism as well. It is clear that Abraham does not like Chris because he does not come from a good family. Eventually he comes to terms with the romance, but it takes him a bit.
I think one of the most memorable parts for me from this film is when Selena is being interviewed by the Spanish media and she is trying so hard to speak proper Spanish. When she is put on the spot and can’t think of the proper word she reverts to English, her native tongue. The press just laughs and seems to find that endearing. I feel that this is not a true representation of the situation for “common” people, especially after reading comments from other blog posts. It seems that the typical response when speaking Spanglish is disdain. I,too, am a Mexican-American female who cannot speak Spanish. At best, I can carry on an elementary conversation! This film always makes me feel a little bit better about my handicap.
I enjoyed reading your n;og. I have always enjoyed Selenas music and this film was well done in portraying her life. I agree when you mentioned that the Director Gregory Nava did a great job in showing the gender barriers. The readings in this class has also broaden my point of view on how films are portrayed and the message it is sending.
I total agree with you guys. I think that part of Selena ( the movie) success is that she is so easy to relate to by Mexican Americans. Here in the U.S. I’m seen as a Latina. Obviously because of my olive skin tone and dark hair, but when I go to Mexico where I look like everyother girl there they see me as American. I’m simply a pocha to them. My own family in Mexico always make comments like “oh you Spanish is better now” or “wow you like spicy food”. They seem surprised I’m so in touch with my Mexican heritage, But going back to how Selena is so relatable and will continue to be for generations to come. There are 10 year old little girls now who instantely fall in love with after watching the film.
I loved your post. Selena is one of my favorite films, a one of a kind. I can watch the film over and over. Since her death, I have watched the film at least three times a year. I have a couple of her CDS, and I had a tape my mom bought me as a child. I always cry towards the end when she dies. I still listen to her music. She was awesome!!!I agree with you and Zoraida, the director of the film, Gregory Nava, does an excellent job illustrating gender roles and barriers in a Mexican-American family. The film briefly addresses issues of second-generation Mexican Americans, for example, not speaking Spanish or following the culture’s norms and expectations.
I remember when Selena just started to become famous in the Spanish radio stations. The music was great and up beat, had a really good rhythm to dance to. What made everything better was her sexy self and the way she moved on stage. At that time, she was the only woman that was huge in Mexico and in the United States. I believe, she was the first one to be famous in the Spanish music industry where only men rule at that time. Just like in other Latino movies that we have watched in class, Selena and her family became famous because of the family bonding and togetherness. In addition, their hard work, dedication and determination is what made her succeed in the music business. I agree, with your blog about Selena breaking the barriers of race and gender, specially in that era. Selena, made a huge contribution to the Latino community as well as the women in the music industry. I do believe that Selena will never be forgotten because of her music and all that she contributed to in the United States and Mexico. Great post and great movie to watch!!
This movie is about the struggles with cultural identity. It is hard to be accepted cause as Mexican Americans we are stuck in the middle. As more Latinos are coming to America and the longer we are in the US, we seem to fitting in just right in. I never lived outside California, so I cannot understand how it would be in Texas. Selena won the hearts of both sides. I remember people were shocked about her untimely death. I did not like her father because of the race ideology that he towards acceptance. Racism exist no matter what we do. People can tolerate us but it does not mean they have to accept us. My philosophy is, you accept me for who I am and not where I am from. Selena encounters racism as she shops for a dress at the a mall, the joke was on the sales attendant. This ideology that Mexican American have to work twice is hard only perpetuates the problem.He was over barring and annoying. He was pretty much a control freak. I noticed her father he was living his through his kids eyes. He had opportunity, unfortunately, race had a lot to do with his failure. Selena broke boundaries between Mexican American and Mexican people and she made her mark in music history.
Wow! It’s so great to hear others who have gone through the same issues I have with not fitting in on either side. You don’t know how many times I’ve heard that I am a “fake” Mexican because I don’t speak Spanish. Marcy thanks for educating me on that term Pocho/a. I’ve never heard of that but it makes sense that Mexicans in Mexico would have a little bit of disdain for Mexican-Americans who they feel have turned their back on their culture. In reality, most of us want to embrace our culture but are not always accepted because we don’t speak the language.
Awesome Blog! One of my favorite scenes is Abraham’s discourse to AB and Selena about not being Mexican or American enough for either side, we have to work twice as hard. It”s so true! Selena had her own struggles not only her cultural identity but that of the Virgen and Malinche dichotomy as the Baez reading pointed out. On stage she wanted to express her sexuality and Abraham was always trying to hold her back. “What is she wearing? That’s a Bra”, it also spilled into her personal life between keeping her father happy or being with Chris.
The film portrays Selena’s rise to the top and her crossover success following her death. It incorporates the cultural differences, struggle, racism and women’s identity issues. I agree with you, Selena taught us a good lesson just be yourself.