Tag Archives: LatinoDH

Miracles From Heaven (2016)

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Miracles From Heaven was released on March 16, 2016, in some theaters, Amazon, and Redbox. The film was produced by Patricia Riggen, written by Christy Beam, and adapted by Randy Brown. The actors in the film are Eugenio Derbez as Dr. Nurko, Jennifer Garner as Christy Beam, and Kylie Rogers as Ana Beam. The film is a drama about a little girl who is terribly ill and miraculously gets cured. After the car accident, Christy Beam (mother) finds out that Ana Beam (daughter) is not ill anymore; for some reason that doctors or science cannot explain, Ana is no longer ill. Ana is perfectly healthy.

 

 

I enjoyed the film because it had a happy ending.  For the first time, a Mexican actor had the honor to play a role in a drama film as a doctor, and not a criminal. The story has a happy ending and not the typical sad ending that most drama films have. The film ended with the child being cured of a terrible illness that was very painful and did not have a cure according to doctors. One can interpret the ending in many different ways. My interpretation is that one must never lose hope and faith. Even when one does not find a solution, or think there is no solution, one must believe God has a plan for us, and we must trust in God.  Many times that I have watched movies, in which most of the actors are white, and a person of color is part of the cast, \the person of color is the criminal or the villain. I was amazed that for the first time in my history of viewing films, a Mexican was portrayed as a doctor. Not a doctor, who malpractice steals, or extortionate patients, but a doctor who is caring, loving, and understanding. Eugenio Derbez as Dr. Nurko role was essential to the film because he is a doctor that treats Kylie Rogers, an excellent physician, and reveals the good news.  He is the top pediatric gastroenterologist in Boston. Dr. Samuel Nurko is a very busy doctor, and it takes some time before he can set an appointment to meet with Ana and her mother.

Most of the films viewed in the class involve criminals, were violent and portrayed Latinos in a negative manner. This film, on the contrary, portrays Latinos as caring, loving, and understanding like in the film, Real Women Have Curves. We need more films in English that portray Latinos as part of the American society, playing a functional and essential component. As one of the minority groups, the number of Latinos has increased, and we cannot deny nor ignore that we are part of the American society.

Overall, I enjoyed the film, the message it portrayed, how it depicted Latinos and the happy ending.  We need more films that illustrate, with positive messages, regardless of race we can all work together, help one another, and make a difference. Hate, stereotypes, and racism need to be forgotten to be able to live and make the world a better place. Currently, the world needs humanity to believe, and I have faith and hope in a better world.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt4257926/

 

 

Instructions Not Included (2013)

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Instructions Not Included is a comedy and drama film that was aired on September 6, 2013, and directed by Eugenio Derbez. The actors who played in this movie were Valentin (Eugenio Derbez), the girl Maggie (Loreto Peralta), and Maggie’s mother, Julie (Jessica Lindsey). The original version was in Spanish No Se Aceptan Devoluciones then translated in English to Instructions Not Included. Both versions are easy to understand and follow, compared to other versions of translations. Usually, the translations do not make sense or cause emotional reactions to viewers.

 

 

Eugenio Derbez originates from Mexico City, Mexico. He is an actor, director, writer, and producer. He earned two degrees in Mexico. One degree in Film Directing from the Mexican Institute of Cinematography and Theater and the second in Acting from Televisa Acting School. Currently, he is furthering his education in Los Angeles, California, taking classes to become a better actor, director, writer, and producer. He is known in Mexico and Los Angeles for his comedy and characters. He created and produced various successful television series in Mexico, such as XHDerbez, Vecinos, and La Familia Pluche.  He received a star on the Walk of Fame recently, and the Latino community was happy that he had been recognized for the impressive work he has done over the years. He not only moved to Los Angeles to further his education, but to become a well-known actor, producer, writer, and director. He has participated in several films such as Under the Same Moon (2007), The Book of Life (2014), Miracles from Heaven (2016), Girl in Progress (2012), Beverly Hills Chihuahua (2008), and children’s movies that have been translated into Spanish like Shrek, Shrek 2, and Mulan. If you will like to learn more about Eugenio Derbez, here is the link to his biography http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0220240/, an article about his crossover to Hollywood by Fox News http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/entertainment/2013/10/25/eugenio-derbez-shows-hollywood-what-latinos-want-at-box-office/, and a list of things people did not know about him http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/27/eugenio-derbez-facts_n_4349662.html.


 

 

 

The film is about a young man who is promiscuous, irresponsible and parties a lot. This is a stereotype that is very common in the Latino community. Unfortunately, in our community, these are characteristics of men, and they are acceptable as part of Machismo. These characteristics are not viewed well among woman. His life changed, when one of his many, one night stands knocked his door and left a baby at his doorsteps. She tells him they had sexual intercourse. As a consequence, she became pregnant and had a baby girl. She then asks for money to pay the taxi driver.  He gives her money, and she hands him the baby. She then walks off to pay the man and never comes back. He did not know what to do with the baby, and he was aware that he was not capable of caring for the child. Another stereotype is that men are not capable of caring for children regardless if they are their own. The women must always care for the children, and the men must provide; again Machismo. He then remembered the birth mother lived in the United States of America, and he decided to immigrate with the baby. He immigrated to Los Angeles, California. The film portrayed crossing the border as something that was not difficult to do. He had trouble putting the money together, took time, and not knowing the language was a barrier. He had a difficult time finding the mother once he arrived and eventually fell in love with the baby. He takes any job to make money to support his daughter.  He faced a difficult journey as a single father.  He raised a girl on his own, in a place where he knew no one. The language was a barrier, and he had to hide like many immigrants today. The film and the actor portrayed the reality of many fathers and mothers that live in the United States today, who work endlessly any job to make a living and support their children. A point that I found interesting was he never intended to stay in the United States of America; he only wanted to return the baby and go back home. I have heard this from many family members who immigrated to this state to make money to support their family and intended to go back to their country of origin which hardly happens. After six years, the mother reappears confesses the child is not his and wants the child back. He fights for the custody of the girl who he thought for six years was his. During the time he was working in Hollywood taking positions as extra in many movies, he became successful and earned well enough to provide for his child. There is a custody dispute throughout the film the child becomes ill and eventually dies.

 

 

 

 

 

The story points out Valentin’s struggles of being a single father, being an immigrant, and experiencing the death of his child. Valentin believed he was not capable of caring for the child. Eventually, he learned to be an amazing father. Being a parent is not an easy job. A child completely changes one’s life, and one has to mature and become responsible.  That is what the film illustrated. The film had stereotypes of machismo: Valentin was promiscuous, irresponsible, and immature. He also felt he was not capable of caring for a child. Since he was a man, it was acceptable for him to behave this way, and no one looked at him as being wrong or judged him. But the film then destroyed this stereotype when he became a loving, caring, and responsible father. He cared for the child for six years and then engaged in a committed relationship. This film is an example that Latino men can be loving, caring, responsible, and passive like in Real Women Have Curves. Another stereotype that was addressed was the one of the immigrants crossing the border.  A stereotype that was illustrated was that it’s not hard crossing the border, and from the stories I have heard that is a myth. I understand the film was not centered on that idea, but it would have been nice to have approached that in a different way. This stereotype reminded me of some of the stereotypes in Speedy Gonzalez and Born in East LA, especially the scenes of Rudy crossing the border where it seemed not so difficult like anyone can do it and survive.  The stereotype that was clarified was that immigrants take the jobs that are available, and no one wants to do. They are not stealing or taking anyone’s job.  Immigrants overcome many barriers, such as the language, law enforcement, and finding a job to have a better lifestyle.

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you like to learn more about Eugenio Derbez, I have posted links above that will take you to his biography and news about him. I have also posted and summarized some of his work below.

 

 

One of my favorite characters in XHDerbez is the “El Diablito”. This like many of his work is a comedy show that involves many characters in different settings. This show is available through Amazon, YouTube, and Netflix. Here is the link if you will like to learn more about this show http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0409642/0.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLJLoZOFKHs

 

 

Vecinos translates in English to neighbors. The series is a comedy about the neighbors that live in an apartment building and have to learn how to get along because they cannot afford to move out. The series has a diverse group of neighbors like a promiscuous woman, a gay man, punk rocker teenager, preppy teenager, a naughty child, docile husband, evil wife, friendly apartment manager, educated and successful woman, and a business man. Here is the link to learn more about the series http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0469247/.

 

He played as Ludovico, the father in the family of the show, La Familia Pluche; this is a comedy show based on a dysfunctional family. This was a hit show in Mexico and the United States of America. This show is available on YouTube, Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon. Here is the link to learn more about the show http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1244672/.

 

Devious Maids

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Devious Maids was created by Marc Cherry, the creator of Desperate Housewives. The show Desperate Housewives aired from 2004 to 2012 and was very successful. Devious Maids, so far, has four seasons and has been successful as well. Eva Longoria is part of the team of executive producers. The show was first aired by the network Lifetime on June 23, 2013. Season four episode one will be aired on June 6, 2016, through Lifetime.

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The show series consists of drama, mystery, and comedy. The series is about five Latinas who work as maids in Beverly Hills. These Latinas all have dreams and aspirations to become someone in life. The five Latinas are Marisol Suarez (Ana Ortiz), Rosie Falta (Dania Ramirez), Zoila Diaz (Judy Reyes), Valentina Diaz (Edy Ganem), and Carmen Luna (Roselyn Sanchez). Marisol Suarez is an educated woman who disguises a maid to find out who killed a young maid. Her son was framed for the murder of the maid. Marisol is a desperate mother that, like any other mother, would do whatever it takes to help her child. Rosie is a maid who emigrated from Mexico after the death of her husband. Since her husband’s death, Rosie had to work to support her child, and if she stayed in Mexico, she was not going to be able to survive.  Zoila is married and has a teenage daughter. Zoila works as a maid to help her husband support their family. Zoila’s daughter wants to further her education and be someone in life. Valentina is rebellious; she wants to fit in with a crowd that Zoila believes she does not belong to because of her race and social status. Carmen works as a maid until she is discovered by a music label to become a famous singer. She hates being a servant, but gossip keeps her entertained.

 

https://youtu.be/JAh-5K2F7dI

 

 

 

 

Marisol is an example of a Latina who is educated and has a career, as a professor. She is the second generation of Latino and does not speak Spanish; she speaks English well compared to Carmen and Rosy. Marisol does not have a husband; all she has is her son. Marisol disguises herself as a maid and helps in the release of her son. In doing so, she then confesses to her new maid friends she is not a maid. She then writes a book about her experience as an educated Latino, who disguises herself as a maid to free her son. In the book, she includes stereotypes and the treatments that Latina maids are exposed to. Latina maids are often seen as thieves, liars, uneducated, inhumane, and criminals. Similar to the stereotypes in Born in East LA, Zoot Suit, and West Side Story. Every time something goes missing in the home, no matter how valuable, the employer blames the maids. When the maids find out that she posed to be a maid; they all responded differently but for the most part, they felt betrayed.  She becomes wealthy and purchases a home in Beverly Hills. Some of her maid friends feel that she has assimilated to being wealthy and white; again, they feel betrayed. The character of Marisol is an educated Latina, who goes above and beyond for her son, love, and friends.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VrwUEabz_gw

 

 

 

 

Rosie’s story is a typical but sad story many mothers go through when obligated by the circumstances to immigrate to make a living. She left her son behind in Mexico with family; they talk and write letters often. Rosie’s employer is the typical white, wealthy family who pays the maid to work endlessly in the home and with the children. As Rosie cares for the children of her employer, she thinks about her own, the sad reality of many immigrant women who become nannies and maids. Eventually, she is reunited with her son. Like many immigrant children, he has a hard time assimilating and learning the language.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLNQFIce_vk

 

 

 

 

Zoila is a first generation Latina. Zoila married young and had her daughter young. Like many mothers, she is afraid her daughter will follow her footsteps. She is strict with her daughter, similar to the mother of America Ferrera in Real Women Have Curves. The only difference is that Zoila wants her daughter to be an educated and successful Latina. Her only fear is for her daughter to be mistreated by the Beverly Hills community which is white and rich. The Beverly Hills community sees the maids and workers who are mostly Latinos as second class citizens, uneducated, and criminals. Once her daughter graduated high school, she began to work as a maid to save money to go to college.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMll1_L47VQ

 

 

 

 

Zoila’s daughter is Valentina. She wants to become educated, be successful, and fit in with the Beverly Hills crowd of teens. Her mom does not want her to date nor have friends that live in Beverly Hills. She is afraid they will discriminate against her because she is poor (not wealthy) Mexican American (not white) and resides in Los Angeles (not Beverly Hills). Valentina wants to fit in and as a rebellious daughter, she dates a young white man who is wealthy and lives in Beverly Hills.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLgURs9qOv0

 

 

 

 

 

Carmen immigrated to the United States of America to be discovered as a singer. She has an accent and hates being a maid. She does not have children and is portrayed as a sexy Latina, who sleeps around for favors and money. Carmen’s character is a stereotyped personality, which others may have about Latinas being hypersexual, promiscuous, and money hungry.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVlp9cA4-s4

 

 

 

 

 

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The five protagonists are characterized based on assumptions and stereotypes. The actresses are Latinas portraying Latinas both in a positive and negative manner. Marisol as the successful and educated one,  Zoila as the one who became a mother and married at a young age, Rosie the one who left her family behind to work, Valentina a rebellious daughter, and finally Carmen the promiscuous one. Do you agree with me that the women are both portrayed in a positive and negative way? Or are they portrayed in a positive or negative manner? The series was created around the women and their experiences as maids, mothers, friends, lovers, and daughters, similar to Real Women Have Curves. The only difference is the men are not all passive, caring, and loving. The series illustrates the stereotypes and hidden meanings Nericco addressed in his article in relation to the cartoon of Speedy Gonzalez.  I enjoy watching this series, but the series is full of stereotypes of how Latinas and whites interact.

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The series is available through Amazon Prime and Hulu.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2226342/

http://www.hulu.com/devious-maids

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DKSAIJM?ref_=aiv_dp_season_select

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lvcdfdA_Ss

 

 

 

 

Stand and Deliver (1988)

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Stand_and_deliver

Stand and Deliver is a 1988 American drama film based on the true story of high school math teacher Jaime Escalante. Edward James Olmos portrayed Jaime Escalante. In the early 1980’s Jaime Escalante quit his middle class job to pursue a High School teaching career. He accepted a job at Garfield High School as a computer science teacher. Upon reporting to the job site he discovers there are no computers due to budget cuts and instead is assigned to teach a basic math class.
Garfield High School is located in East Los Angeles, the majority of the students are Latinos from low level income families. The school is gang infested. Jaime’s class is initially out of control, with humor and patience he manages to earn the respect of his students and begins to teach. “Ganas” is all anyone needs to succeed. Shortly thereafter Garfield undergoes the Accreditation review process. Administration is wary due to the low test scores of the school. Many of the Administrators have given up on the teens. They cite low test scores are a result of populations socioeconomic circumstance. Jaime sees the potential of his kids and offers to introduce Calculus to his students. “Students will rise to the levels of expectations.” Grudgingly administration agrees. Jaime taught math class through summer breaks, zero periods and after school to prepare his students for the Advanced Placement Calculus test.

Jaime Escalante
In 1982, 18 students took the test and passed.The students at Garfield High managed what many deemed impossible.The school in East Los Angeles had the highest passing rate in Southern California. However, the Educational Testing Services (ETS) questioned the results. An investigation was launched and the students were asked to retake the test. The dilemma, to retake or not to retake.That is the question.

Stand and Deliver is an inspirational movie. It is a movie directed and written by Latinos. I could argue that the movie depicted common stereotypes such as gangs and crime but it is a reality in the East Los Angeles neighborhood.The film stresses the importance of education to Chicano’s that are often judged by the color of their skin. As Escalante puts it”Math is the great equalizer.” According to Goldman “the representation of Chicano youths in Stand and Deliver challenges their image seen on dominant film and television. Perhaps more important, Stand and Deliver provides a more hopeful image of Chicano’s than many Chicano feature films of the eighties…” its a feel good movie for all but it touched me because I am a Chicana. Their success felt like my success. This film proves not all heroes wear capes.

“Ganas, all we need is Ganas” -Jaime Escalante

You are the true Dreamers, dreams accomplish wonderful things, you are the best”
-Jaime Escalante

Noriega, Chon A., and López, Ana M., eds. Ethnic Eye : Latino Media Arts. Minneapolis, MN, USA: University of Minnesota Press, 1996. ProQuest ebrary. Web. 12 May 2016.

Wassup Rockers

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Wassup Rockers unveils both the stereotypes and the truths of growing up Latino in South Central Los Angeles.The direction and perspective of the film are very clear from the first opening scene, a guy walking down the street gets shot by a drive-by and the neighborhood goes on with their day. This opening is followed by a mom coming home in the morning after working all night as a stripper. Already in the first minute we have an introduction to the neighborhood and lifestyle of South Central.

The main characters are a group of 7 skaters who are all Latino and share the common interest of punk rock. Their story starts in South Central highlighting that for the majority these boys have no supervision because the parents work long hours. They are harassed by the other teens in the neighborhood for how they dress and the music they listen to; they do not fit the social norm of the area that revolves around hip- hop and gang activity. The story of the film is the 24 hour journey that these boys have while trying to go skate. They face multiple obstacles and tragedies because of the fact that they are Latinos. Most of the action takes place in Beverley Hills and the characters there are very exaggerated to get the point that the director is trying to make across.

The boys set off to go to a high school in Beverly Hills to skate a spot there and are pulled over before they even make it out of their neighborhood.  After losing the car, they still go to Beverly Hills on the bus and are finally skating when some girls from the rich school approach them. The girls are your stereotypical rich girls, who are in revealing preppy uniforms and clearly looking for trouble. While at the school they are again approached by a cop. The Beverly Hills cop resembles a lot of the characters in Born In East L.A. because like Rudy the boys are born and raised in LA but are continuously harassed by authority figures based on racist assumptions and stereotypes. Also like in Born in East L.A. they do not go looking for trouble but because of their look trouble always finds them.

This part was my favorite seen because he immediately assumes they are all Mexicans, and one boy says “I’m Guatemalan!” and another “I’m Salvi”; they mess with the cop all giving him the same address and after a while just take off. This scene stood out to me because as exaggerated as the cops prejudice seemed to be, it was almost spot on to most cops behavior toward Latinos. It is clear in almost everyone seen that the film was made for and directed toward a Latino audience.

After the spree of bad situations continues throughout Beverly Hills they ultimately end up running away from a mansion party and one of the boys gets shot by an actor. When the Beverly Hills cops arrive they promise to keep things quiet for this rich actor and tell him not to worry because “it’s some Mexican kid”. This theme occurred throughout the film where because of where these boys come from they do not matter. This scene was very disturbing because it sinks in the reality of racism in Los Angeles; it hits home because we see it as such a diverse city yet racism still flourishes and many of us have no idea. It really makes you think about how often things like this happen and everyone just moves on; after all the parents most likely cannot afford to do otherwise. Safety, stability, and apparently justice are all systematically distributed.

At the end, the boys finally make it home early in the morning after trains and buses and losing two friends. As soon as they are back in their neighborhood they are harassed by the black guys who make fun of their tight pants and yell “wassup rockers” while shooting a gun. This ending left me feeling similarly to American Me , a discouraging feeling that the cycle will  basically repeat itself and it ends as though this was just another average day. However unlike American Me, these boys try to lay low and not live the lifestyle expected of them and yet still find themselves dealing with the same barriers from society.

*Another factor that can be appreciated is the soundtrack that is filled with music from local artists: https://play.spotify.com/album/5I7EuSPZBRa9OAV5x0nwhw?play=true&utm_source=open.spotify.com&utm_medium=open

http://www.wassuprockers.net/

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0413466/

Maid in Manhattan (2002)

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Maid in Manhattan

Do you like fairy tales?  When you were a little girl, did you dream of Prince Charming coming and lifting you off your feet? Well, if you like fairy tales, Maid in Manhattan is the perfect movie for you. This film is the modern version of Cinderella with a “Hispanic Diva” Jennifer Lopez starring in the lead role as a “Puerto Rican” maid in a high class hotel who unwittingly finds herself being pursued by a charming, wealthy WHITE senatorial candidate.

In this film Jennifer Lopez portrays Marisa Ventura, a single mom to her bright son Ty and she also works as a maid in an expensive hotel in Manhattan. Ms. Ventura was assigned to look after the needs of a rich White woman “Caroline Lane” who will be occupying one of the most exclusive rooms in the hotel. While prepping the room Marisa and a fellow maid discover a $5,000 designer suit, which Marisa reluctantly tries on.  Her 10 year old son, Ty meets the White senator on the elevator when he is about to take out his dog for a walk and the boy then asks if he can join him in walking the dog… and soon they are headed upstairs to get permission from Ms. Ventura to go walk the dog. The senator sees Marisa in the $5000 suit and thinks she’s a wealthy socialite; not realizing he already saw her cleaning his bathroom earlier in the movie in a maids uniform.

Marisa and Ty, both end up accompanying Mr. Christopher Marshall at the park.  It is during this past time that Christopher begins to fall for Marisa.  Marisa knowing that she is in the wrong of leading him on to believe that she is someone she is not deep down enjoyed the attention she received from Christopher.  She also did not think much about continuing with this charades therefore she let him believe she was a wealthy woman.

But soon after, Marisa received bad news at her employment. The head management received a complaint and per video evidence showing that Marisa had taken/worn the $5,000 white designer suit and was fired. Besides being fired, Marisa then had to face her mother and hear her mother with an “I told you so” kind of sarcasm.  Her mother would always be putting Marisa down and reminding her of “her place” and not to go off dreaming of becoming a manager or to even think that she may have a chance with Christopher.  It took some time, but Marisa finally found the courage and stood up to her mother.

This movie has a traditional “fairy tale” ending such as Prince Charming finds his Cinderella and live happily ever after.  Ty makes an exceptional impression on the senatorial which awakens his wrong doing on prejudging or on his point of view and goes after Marisa Ventura.  Marisa and he find true love and their dreams which they had been working hard for come true. Marisa becomes a manager and Christopher Marshall becomes Senator.

This film touches some same issues such Anna in Real Women Have Curves. Marisa just like Anna is put down by her mother.  Marisa is reminded of her social class by her mother and Anna is told that she will never be anybody because of her weight and way of thinking.  Marisa and Anna’s dreams of succeeding come crashing down when they encounter their mothers, but they both stand up to their mothers and follow their dream.  Marisa continues to become and succeeds in getting Manager position and Anna accepts the offer to attend Columbia University.

This film is funny, romantic, and brings up social class. This film motivates the viewer to stand up for one’s dream, beliefs, and/or goals.  It teaches human value and self-worth and also promotes family unity, no matter how small the family may be.  There were several scenes where few words were said but had profound meaning.Two of my favorite quotes are as follows:

“To serve people takes dignity and intelligence.  But remember, they are only people with money.  And although we serve them, we are not their servants.”

and the other is…

“What we do does not define who we are.  What defines us is how well we rise after falling.”  – Lionel

 

IMDb  Link to Maid in Manhattan

Bread and Roses (2000)

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The story dramatically unfolds with a border crossing.   The coyotes successfully complete the crossing with three different families.  The family members on this side of the border meet the coyotes with the remainder of the fee for delivering their loved ones.  However, Maya’s sister did not have the balance due and the coyote took Maya away.  The two coyotes actually flip a coin to see who gets to keep her.  Maya was cunning and escapes the grasp of the coyote and is reunited with her sister and her sister’s family.  Bread and Roses was a surprise because a lot of the film’s dialogue was in Spanish.  However, I think that the Spanish and English combination of dialogue made the film more interesting and believable. The combination of both languages could actually be how a bilingual person may interact in their daily life as they interact with family members, at work and other English and non- English speaking persons. Maya’s sister finds her a job in a bar but Maya does not stay because the men were touching and grabbing her.  Maya is hired on at her sister’s janitorial job.  The manager gives her a job in exchange for her first month’s salary.  This is only one of the manager’s offenses.  There are others in the film.

A union organizer comes to the building where they work and speaks to the employees about organizing for more pay, health benefits and other worker rights.  Most of the workers are afraid because they have seen people fired without cause.   Maya is very interested and encourages the other worker’s to listen and eventually participate in work actions.    The manager uses coercion to determine who is involved with the meetings.  He dismisses several of the employees and bring in a new crew.  Maya is the main character that drives the plot and she falls for the white union organizer.  Maya does not understand why her sister is not participating especially since her family is in desperate need of health care.    The answer is eventually revealed.  In addition to her reasons for not participating in the work actions, Maya’s sister eventually reveals the real sacrifices she has made in coming to America and the sacrifices she has made for her family in Mexico.  Maya is shocked by the reveal and makes a fatal mistake that puts her in deportation danger. 

This film has a sense of realness as there are subtle instances that support the story such as the janitorial workforce.  Though the employees are primarily immigrants, there are also black employees which are realistically part of this low- wage sector. 

There are some revealing moments and the viewer is exposed to the tragic events of an immigrant’s life. Those moments include the border crossing with coyotes, the unfair work practices that non- unionized employees experience such as low wages and lack of health care.  These employees also experience public humiliation brought on by the employer including the fear of losing their job.  Also mentioned is how hard some immigrants work and send all their money back home.  All of these moments and more are brought out in this film. 

This film reminds me of Real Women Have Curves because it is the reversal of the stereotypical immigrant story.  The protagonist is not helpless or a sex symbol.  She is resourceful and an activist for her rights and the rights of others.  However, as stated in the article, Who exactly is Living La Vida Loca? The Legal and Political Consequences of Latino/Latina Ethnic and Racial Stereotypes in Film and Other Media,  “the white man rises to power” in this instance he is the union organizer and the Latina protagonist falls in love with him.

Review

Plot summary

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Falling Down the Rabbit Hole of Societal Dysfunction

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Falling Down (1993) provides a snapshot of the dysfunction in society during the race wars that were at the forefront during the 1992 riots in Los Angeles. As the film begins we see that William Foster (Michael Douglas) is stuck in traffic and is experiencing some sort of mental break. His palms are sweaty and every sound and sensation is magnified. It is then that he decides that he is going to walk “home” to his little girl’s birthday party. He grabs his briefcase, ditches his car in traffic and starts walking. As the movie progresses we find out that he no longer lives at “home” with his family. His wife is now his ex-wife and that he has been fired from his job as a defense engineer which has rendered him unable to make his child support payments. On top of that he is now forced to live with his mom who is mentally unstable and loves to collect miniature glass animals.

Along the way William encounters several people with whom confrontations ensue easily. He wants to call and talk to his “wife” and daughter so he stops at a liquor store where he asks the store owner to make change for a dollar so he can use the payphone outside. He picks out a Coke but the store owner says that it’s 85 cents which won’t give William the 2 quarters he needs for the phone call. William, who is now thoroughly aggravated, asks the Korean store owner why he has mispronounced the word “five” like “fi”. he wonders out loud, “What, they don’t have v’s in China?” The store owner is nonetheless appalled and responds that he is from Korea. William retorts with “Eh, whatever! You come to my country take my money and then don’t even have the grace to learn how to speak my language?” then goes on a tirade asking him if he knows how much money his country (The U.S.) has given his country. When the owner tries to kick him out he responds by stealing his bat from behind the counter that the store owner was about to use on him.

In a following scene he encounters an army surplus store owner who knows the cops are looking for D-Fens as William has decided to call himself. The surplus owner takes advantage of this knowledge and lures him down to his basement to show him his Nazi and war memorabilia. At this point the store owner is somewhat infatuated with D-Fens and admires him as a vigilante. Unfortunately, D-Fens disagrees with the store owner and tells him he is not a vigilante and he’s just trying to get home to see his little girl. The store owner gets violently angry and D-Fens tells him that there are very distinct differences between them. D-Fens considers himself “an American” and he calls the store owner a “sick fuck”. When the store owner tries to steal his guns and breaks the snow globe, a gift for his daughter, D-Fens is forced to defend himself and proceeds to stab him and shoot him until he is dead. Throughout his walk through urban Los Angeles D-Fens experiences racial discrimination, disrespect and violence. But the question in this case remains why.

Why has D-Fens fallen down the rabbit hole of societal dysfunction? How big of a role does it play that he has lost his job and is no longer economically viable? D-Fens is a broken man, his job has been taken away and therefore he has also lost his family including his beloved wife and his beautiful little daughter. D-Fens has lost his place in society and has taken it upon himself to take his anger out on those he thinks are responsible for his downfall. The Korean store owner represents the foreigners invading his country and taking jobs away from the “real” American people. The Nazi Surplus store owner exemplifies the people in society that D-Fens considers un-American, those who preach about American culture and values but truly don’t know anything about their own country.  In his mental break he is going to right every “wrong” that society has done to him. In trying to escape his own bleak outlook for the future, he becomes hypersensitive to the injustice all around him. Maybe, as Michael Omi suggests in his article entitled In Living Color:Race and the American Culture, “dramatic instances of racial tension and violence merely constitute the surface manifestations of a deeper racial organization of American society- a system of inequality which has shaped, and in turn been shaped by, our popular culture” (549).

Who do you identify with the most? The Korean store owner who is harassed by some crazed white man on the verge of a nervous breakdown? The white man who has lost his job/family? The racist surplus store owner that believes that we should support vigilantism?

 

 

On Twitter @jess_miller_310

El Mariachi (1992)

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          In this grand case of mistaken identitythat is sometimes comedic and often leaves one gripping their chair in anticipation, a young musician whose only dream is to become a mariachi like his father and his grandfather before him, is mistaken for a cutthroat criminal and must rely on his wits, guitarcase, and Lady Luck to get him to safety.  The path towards his dreams is littered with obstacles and he must endure the most wrenching of heartbreaks in this tale of two very different men who both carry the same guitar case.

     Filmed on a very low budget in 1992 and entirely in Spanish, El Mariachi, which was dubbed in English for its debut at the prestigious Sundance Film Festival, marked the first mainstream success for writer/director Robert Rodriguez and spawned two sequels: Desperado (1995) and Once Upon a Time in Mexico (2003).  While many are familiar with the latter two movies, it is El Mariachi that really put Rodriguez’s name on the map and piqued the interest of studio moguls everywhere.  Riding on the coattails of this film, Rodriguez went on to direct a slew of other popular movies such as Sin City, Spy Kids, Machete, and, my personal guilty pleasure, From Dusk ‘til Dawn.

     What I liked the most about this film, after reading up on it, was that many of the characters were just local people who were recruited to play these roles.  Additionally, it was filmed on location which means that any money paid to the actors stayed in the local community.  This also helps when looking at the actors portraying these characters because they do not fit into the archetypes that we are so used to seeing. The actors look like normal, everyday people that you could see in your town.  I think that this helps lend some credibility to the grandiose plot of mistaken identities that has been seen in many films before this one.  It should be noted, however, that while there is a “Ruthless Mexican Drug Lord” he does not physically fit into the box that has been molded by his predecessors and the “Latin Lover” is more of a timid musician than a dashing Casanova.  What did make me laugh because it was so typical was when Moco yelled at the end about how El Mariachi “…ran off with my virgin!”  From this I also gathered that the patriarchal mentality was still present, even in a film as progressive as this.  

     A scene that I found funny is when Moco and Azul are arguing over how many men were killed, neither realizing that the “other” man in black has unwittingly become a fighter.  Moco assumes that Azul killed all 10, since he is the only one he knows who wears all black and carries weapons.  To this, Azul laughs that Moco “…could never do math” since he is sure that he only killed 6 and is adamant about that fact.  Although the viewer is aware that there are three different players in this game, neither villain knows this fact which makes this argument that much more comedic.

     All in all, I found it be a mediocre movie with an open-ended finale that leaves room for interpretation.  I was neither blown away nor disappointed by the cinematography and found that, while the plot was a bit cliche, the execution by all those involved was refreshing.  I think that after watching other blockbusters directed by Rodriguez, I was impressed with his abilities to produce such a work with a budget that can be considered chump change to Hollywood hotshots.  

The Book of Life (2014)

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The Book of Life

When we lose a loved one, we are sad, depressed and at times want to be isolated.  Many times our children are taught by the way we as adults react towards certain circumstances, such as death.  This film, The Book of Life, shows a different aspect of how the Mexican culture celebrate the “Dia de los Muertos” (Day of the Dead) on November 2nd with vibrant colors. This film is a nice way to show our children and remind ourselves as well, that those who have left us are with us and will not be forgotten.

Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a 2 day celebration.  It commences on November 1st which is known as “All Saints Day.”  This day is when the souls of the children that have passed are welcomed. The celebration continues on November 2nd, known as “All Souls Day” which is the day when the souls of the adults are welcomed.  Many people celebrate these days by putting up altars decorated with candles, sugar skulls, food and clothes.

The film starts with a school bus arriving at a museum and the tour guide taking the children through a side entrance and teaching them about the Mexican culture of the Day of the Dead.  It is then, where the children learn about The Book of Life.  This book depicts about the two gods of the dead; La Muerte ruler of the land of the Remembered and Xibalba the ruler of the land of the Forgotten and the twist the lives of three childhood friends take after the two gods have a wager.  The story of the three childhood friends caught in a love triangle. There is Manolo a guitarista & matador (guitarist  & bullfighter), his bestfriend Joaquin a brave handsome town hero and Maria the girl they are both in love with.  Maria is a feisty, strong willed, and independent.

The wager comes in play because Xibalba is tired of being in the Land of the Forgotten and wants to trade with La Muerte.  Xibalba bets that Maria will marry Joaquin and La Muerte bets that Maria will marry Manolo.  At a young age all three go in separate ways, Maria is sent off to study abroad to learn how to become and behave like a proper lady. As years pass by, Joaquin joined the forces and becomes the town hero, and Manolo follows his family tradition of being a bullfighter, all while he tries to follow his heart in playing his guitar and become a musician.

On the day of Manolo’s first grand bullfighting, Joaquin arrives to town to wish him well but also because this was the same day Maria returned home. Both, Joaquin and Manolo began to try to win Maia’s love.  Maria is bitten by a snake and is assumed that she dead.   Manolo wishes to see Maria again and he too is bitten but by a two headed snake.  Manolo is then awaken in the Land of the Remembered. In the Land of the Remembered he is reunited with his mother and all his ancestors.  He soon finds out that Maria is not dead and makes a wager of his own with Xibalba for Manolo to regain his life again.  Manolo, ultimately wins the wager is returned to the world of the above, just in time to help the town against the towns bandidos and before Maria marries Joaquin.  Since it is the Day of the Dead, Manolo’s ancestors that have past came above and also helped fight the bandidos.  The bandidos were defeated and they retreated.  Manolo and Maria then marry and live happily ever after.

This movie not only depicts about Mexican culture, it also teaches self worth.  Such as the power of the female gender such as in Maria; she also learned how to defend herself. Manolo stood up for himself and in what he wanted to be, a musician.  Joaquin learned to do his best and be himself, not what everybody else think he is or should be.

Although this movie was well liked: it took Jorge Gutierrez, Mexican director, fourteen years to get this film made.  Jorge Gutierrez told USA Today, “I have been pitching the story and people have been saying, ‘This is cool, but you’re never going to get it made.” He further stated, “To other cultures it might seem dark, but the Day of the Dead is actually a very positive thing.  It’s about joyfully remembering the people no longer with us.”  He and Guillermo del Toro joined forces and brought Gutierrez vision to life.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8VUKy4AHzXs

IMDb link to The Book of Life