Nacho Libre (2006) is a Family Comedy film directed by Jared Hess, staring Jack Black as Nacho, which is loosely based on the life of the famous Mexican Priest turned Luchedore, Fray Tormenta. This film is supposed to be a comedic satire much like Napoleon Dynamite (2004), another film produced by Hess, which takes on a corky and fun spin on the life of Fray Tormenta aka Nacho Libre. In addition to the stereotypical thick Mexican accents, exaggerated getup’s and over all white washing of a Mexican Legend we see another common theme in Nacho Libre that is often showcased in Hollywood in the form of overt sexualization of the only Latina character in the film who happens to also be a nun.
As if Latinas in film are not already under represented the film Nacho Libre also contributes to that under representation and further adds to the ongoing misrepresentation in stereotyping and sexualizing of its only Latina character. Sister Encarnacion, who is a nun in this film, is played by Mexican actress Ana de la Reguera who is not only looked at as a trophy but in the opening scene she is quickly fantasized by the her counterparts. As she first enters the class room and father Guillermo is introducing her you see a sort of light aura around her as he emphasizes her name and then both father Guilermo and Nacho look up at her in lust. Fast forward to the next scene when Nacho is playing basketball with the orphans and he sees Sister Encarnacion and runs over to her. She greats him with a “god be with you Ignacio” and he quickly changes the subject and says “anyways. I was wondering if you’d like to join me in my quarters this night” pause “for some toast”? This type of sexualization of Latinas is often seen throughout Hollywood and puts Latina actresses in a box, it is interesting to see that even in the role of a nun they were able to play on the stereotype of the “Sexy Latina”.
As merely a functioning sex object Sister Evangelina’s role, like so many other Latina roles, in the film is reduced to the classic “sexy” blank, in this case the sexy nun, with no real substance and few lines we see get another reminder as to just how Hollywood views Latin woman. The negative effects that these stereotypes have on the ideas of who and what a Latina is and represents leads to the ongoing battle for proper representation beyond the categorization of white Hollywood. In The Bronze Screen (2002), a documentary about Latinos in Hollywood, when referring to the sexualized Latina roles she was often casted for, Rita Moreno says “Hollywood is very influential in placing in the minds of people of what we Latinos are”. Movies like Nacho Libre although meant to be a comedic relief remind us that although Hollywood has “included us” we are far from appropriately represented.
This is a very thoughtful analysis. The way Latina/Chicana women are sexualized in film is something that is very prevalent and somewhat expected. It is unfortunate that these women are also portrayed as somewhat timid or submissive to the overly masculine portrayal of Latino/Chicano men. Nacho is not similar to the character of Bob in La Bamba, by any means, but it appears his attitude toward his love interest is purely based on sexual desire. They are supposed to be celibate to show their devotion to their religion but that does not stop Nacho from letting lust play into his image of the nun. She is a fantasy and should she compromise her virtue for him, itmay be an ego boost for the male figure but would surely be seen as something shameful for the female figure. You have provided a lot of good content to think about in your review.
Hello Ali,
I really like your post and the movie too. I agree with you about Hollywood’s representation of Latinas. I don’t know which one is worse, the sexy latina represented In Nacho Libre or the cheap labor maid work that I will pointing out in my next film review. Latinos are so poorly characterized and it leads be to beleive that Hollywood does not deserves our hard worked money. Latinos have many skillied individual qualities that are cover by the misrepresentation of a think accent. Thank you for your decore it was well expressed.
“sexy” and “nun” did not much, and I found the title is very attractive. Through the analysis, I recognized this movie is also included the Stereotype of Latin culture and emphasizing the sexuality of Latina. I am wondering what the director Jared Hess wanted to do by showing people the wrong information.