In addition to contributing to the barrio authenticity through mise-en-scène, murals serve as a counter-discursive visual narrative to underscore the underlying myths or discourses revealed in this analysis, especially issues of bilingualism and biculturalism which are at the core of Chicano identity. As Fregoso (1993) points out in her analysis of
Yo Soy Joaquin, Yo Soy Chicano, and Chicanas, murals have played a key role in both
Mexican and Chicano social and political movements and in film. Therefore, from a multimodal and genre perspective, the depiction of murals in the film is both an intertextual reference to previous films in which murals have figured prominently and a subtext about Mexicanidad and Chicano history reflecting social justice issues.
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Some of the key scenes in the film take place during three important cultural and family celebrations: the father’s birthday, the Mexican
Independence Day party, and Nora’s wedding to Edward. These celebrations bring together various aspects of mise-en-scène that are not usually seen in Hollywood films: the use of diegetic music, food preparation, clothing, and murals that demonstrate the film’s “meticulous attention to the actual cultural and social conditions of Chicano life and emphasis on ‘recuperating Chicano history in Chicano films (Keller, 1994, p. 209).
(Included in this meticulous attention to detail is when one of the workers Nora meets on the bus mentions her daughter’s quinceañera, another typical Mexican celebration.)
Other examples include the father’s birthday party with mariachi music and Mexican
Independence Day celebration where traditional indigenous clothing is worn and tamales are prepared and CS is used, and the wedding at the end in which the diversity of guests reflects the diversity of the barrio, a salsa band, and the mural. The cultural celebrations become the setting in which traditional Mexican foods and music and clothing are
The exotification of Dolores del Rio is evident in an article published by a Photoplay issue in 1934, as she is described as possessing “golden skin, smooth as mellowed ivory and her dark, flashing eyes bespoke the lue of those maidenly ‘senoritas’ who peep at life from behind cloistered shutters… When the young man comes to call on a senorita in Mexico… he brings his guitar” (38). Through the exotification of Dolores del Rio, Hollywood found great success in the United States and in Latin America, one of the most profitable film markets in the cinematic industry. As a white-passing Latinx woman, del Rio was “more easily able to move in and out of ethnic roles” (33). Because Dolores del Rio was a Latinx woman that held “upper-class roles” and a Eurocentric standard of beauty while nonetheless, identifying with her Mexican heritage, she not only appealed to the white American public, but to Latin American audiences as well (Hershfield
Chicano theater was a leader in progressing Indigenism among the Chicano movement. Its work purpose was to raise awareness of the cultural identies in the 1960’s, which brought social, political, and economic position to
In almost every region there is always some type of celebration. Celebrating the transition from a child to a young adult. In Hispanic cultures they celebrate this transition is similar as the American culture. However the festive way “Quinceañera” & “Sweet sixteen” also has its distinction. In this festive hispanic tradition “Quinceañera” is celebrated when a girl turns 15 and transform herself to a young women.
One of the foundations that help to identify a Chicano’s film on Zoot Suit they are “The Demystification of film” which refer to the type of expression of the character on the film based on what really happen in that time for example on the Zoot Suit riot. Also “A Chicano
The Bronze Screen introduced both positive and negative portrayals of Latinas and Latinos in film. While there are plenty of positive Latino roles in films, Latinos and Latinas should be included in more positive roles because the negative roles Latinos have in films cause negative stereotypes. Positive and negative representations of Latinos in films has always fluctuated throughout history, however the more negative ones seem to always overpower the good ones. The film, “The Bronze Screen”, gave many examples of the negative roles Latinos played in films throughout film history. Early films included Latino actors, however they did not always have a lead role or even a positive one.
This is because the movement itself began as a search for identity in a nation where Chicanos where once classified as White, but never received any of the rights associated with it and where later reclassified as Hispanic. It is also because what was once considered Mexican culture is no more as it has been taken, manipulated, and killed by the Anglos in their conquest. In “I am Joaquin” we see this concept throughout the work in a variety of forms that range from what Mexicans are to the concept of being Chicano. One major example of the search for Identity in the work is shown in the beginning with the paradox question where many young Chicanos are forced to choose between cultural life in poverty or stability at the price of their culture. Basically it states that they must choose between embracing their heritage at the cost of stability or to reject it and conform to the Anglo world and have a chance to be successful.
N.p., n.d. Web. 12 July 2015. Damewood, Cassie. " Mexican Family Culture. " LoveToKnow.
They can be extremely religious or can be more of a social event with similarities to an American prom. No matter what traditions they are made up of, every celebration is extremely unique to the quince girl and her family. They will forever hold significance in the Hispanic culture because, “Every ritual preformed within the Quinceañera ceremony is meant to bring a young woman closer to her family, and they are a symbol of her transition to womanhood” (Plummer,
Women wearing colorful skirts and flowery hats also march in the parade to represent women who traveled with the army. This is followed by a reenactment of the battle that took place. There is smoke, shouting, and mock sword battles concluding with a Mexican victory. There are also traditional dances, games, traditional foods, mariachi music, and colorful decorations” (Borade, 2012, para. 3). There is a variety of foods during this celebration such as, “lamb barbacoa that has been smoked underground in banana leaves or carnitas topped with queso fresco, pickled onions and homemade salsa verde wrapped in a warm homemade corn tortilla that has been ever so lightly heated on a comal” (Esposito, 2013, para. 4).
The immigrants entering the United States throughout its history have always had a profound effect on American culture. However, the identity of immigrant groups has been fundamentally challenged and shaped as they attempt to integrate into U.S. society. The influx of Mexicans into the United States has become a controversial political issue that necessitates a comprehensive understanding of their cultural themes and sense of identity. The film Mi Familia (or My Family) covers the journey and experiences of one Mexican-American (or “Chicano”) family from Mexico as they start a new life in the United States. Throughout the course of the film, the same essential conflicts and themes that epitomize Chicano identity in other works of literature
In the altar’s center is “a plaster image of the Virgin of Guadalupe, quarter-life size, its brown Indian face staring down on the woman” (Paredes 23). The implication of the stare is of criticism as the Virgin, symbolic of an ideal Mexican womanhood, looks down on Marcela, whose Anglo features starkly contrast with the Virgin’s, and whose actions are in opposition to the values that she represents. This carefully constructed scene is meaningful. Marcela’s lifeless body lies between the bed and the altar, and opposite to the altar is Marcela’s shrine dedicated to Hollywood movie stars. These are the visual images of the opposing forces that characterize the Mexican-American struggle for resistance against American cultural hegemony.
From the drug cartel and gangs, to the Mexican-American police officers like Officer Zavala and Officer Orozco, who is a policewoman that was once friends with female Curbside gang member, Lala. I loved that film was very much in touch with the Chicano culture, particularly in the scene where they were celebrating the quinceanera of Zavala’s younger sister. The film showed very descriptive features that also represent the Chicano culture, such as the scene where the man in the pickup truck picks up a pot of soup, from the mother of a Curbside gang member. Loud Mexican music is playing from the truck as the man is being apprehended. They soon discover that the pot of soup, or what looked like menudo, was used to hide large amounts of drug money.
As hispanics we like to celebrate a lot, we celebrate some of the same holidays as other cultures. During Christmas time we make posadas which is half religious and half celebrating , we recreate Mary and Joseph’s pilgrimage to Bethlehem .When we finish with that part we start with the party half which we celebrate with food and piñatas. As Hispanics we really do believe in traditions, during christmas time we like to make big parties all our family and friends get together to celebrate we make some traditional food like tamales, punch ,buñuelos and many other food .
I chose this film because it showed how hard the union workers and families worked in fighting racial injustices, and because it inspired myself to move forward with strong ideologies and pride. 2. Stereotyping in mass media was an important concern of Chicana/o media activists because it imprinted a demeaning label by only casting Chicana/o actors with "minor roles: villains, sidekicks, temptresses, where their main function is to provide the protagonists, typically a handsome white
The people who are known locally there, Jarochos, prep for their opening ceremony, Zocalo, where they have the burning of bad humor. This is also known as Quema Del Mal Humor. This allows for there to be singing and dancing of all who come. This is quite opposite as in St. Louis, on the twelfth Sunday in January, their board of directors vote on whether or not they will have this celebration for that year. Yet, they both similarly crown royalty at this point: a queen in Mexico and a Mardi Gras Rex(king) in Missouri.