Y Tu Mama Tambien

American teenagers have a reputation for being self centered and being concerned only about what they want and this seemed to be the same in this film. The teenagers did not appear to have caring parents who spent time with them. Unlike the other films which showed the Hispanic culture to be very famiy oriented, this film showed teenagers to be very self oriented. They made many poor choices regarding promiscuious activity, drinking and drugs. They did not seem to have any concern for morals and even broke their manifesto. They seemed to care about "feeling good" and what pleasures were available for the moment. They seemed to get bored very easily and did not have any jobs or responsibilities over the summer. This seemed to allow them more freedom, to leave for several days looking for heavens mouth. This also lead to more trouble. Luisa was a difficult character to understand. The film talked about the quiz she took in a magazine which said she had morals and was independent. She was not described as independent when talking about the entertaining she and Jano did. She said she felt out of place with the conversations, and wanted to ask if they could name all the teeth in the correct order. I also wondered if she traveled with the teens because she was dying. It briefly mentioned the doctors office and at another part it showed her not really sleeping and said she was afraid. I found this movie very crude and difficult to watch.

Carol's Journey

Carol comes to Spain with her mother and seems very happy to see her grandfather. She smiles and seems to enjoy the outdoors. They are traveling on a horse and buggy when she meets a boy with a slingshot around his neck. She sees him shoot a bird with it and yells at him. He takes her hat. Later she tries to get it back and he teases her with it. At this time, Carol does not seem to be fitting in too well with the others, but later they become good friends and she saves him from being hit by some soldiers. Carol fights against the conventionalism in the culture by trying to teach one of the servants to read. She is very kind to her and talks to her. She wants to help her and becomes her friend. Carol seems to try to adapt to the culture by agreeing to make her First Communion, but fights the conventionalism there by not wearing the traditional white dress. Her loving grandfather seems to support this idea. I didn't understand too much about the living arrangements after her mom dies. I think whe went to live with some relatives, but begs her grandfather to take her back with him. Carol also misses her father who is a pilot. On her birthday he bravely flies by where her party is and drops off a gift for her. SHe is so excited, but starts to worry when shots are fired at the plane. Luckily he flies away unharmed. Her friends show they respect her and that she fits in by dressing up and coming to her party. Carol has many issues to deal with in the film, such as moving to a new country, her mom's death and worry about her dad. She gets a school teacher to help her send a letter to her father. She doesn't want to worry her father and doesn't want him to know about her mom's death. She knows the fighting and flying is hard on him. Carol is very caring toward her family and friends and I think this is part of the warm climate culture. She puts people above everything. SHe is willing to risk her life by yelling at soldiers to distract them and try to save her father and friend. She tries to help her servant learn and is most excited about her friends coming to her birthday and her fathers air visit. She doesn't seem to care about the gifts. She does carry a scrapbook that she likes and seems to treasure. She is quite a remarkable young lady.

Volver

This film is a tribute to women and their resilience, and was shown in many ways. I was amazed at the strength Paula showed in defending herself and stopping the rape. At the time, she thinks she has killed her father, but as we find out later her grandfather is also her father. Paula's mother Ramunida is also an amazing woman. She was raped by her father, but really loves the child that was a result of this rape. She also speaks so highly of the love she thought her parents shared. She claims that her mother died in the arms of the man she loved. Ramunida is also strong when she finds her husband dead on the kitchen floor. She cleans up the mess, protects her daughter and disposes of the body. She then sees an opportunity to make a living using her neighbors restaurant. She is very resourceful when she makes the first meal, borrowing food from friends. The restaurant is kept busy by the film crew. Ramundia's sister Sole is also quite strong and enterprising. She turns her home into a secret beauty salon to make a living.
The mother of Ramundia and Sole is an interesting character. She is portrayed as a ghost. Many people in the village see her and accept this because they believe she has come back to take care of unfinished business so she can rest in peace. Resting in peace is portrayed as very important. In the beginning of the film, women are seen cleaning the grave markers at a cemetery. The wind is blowing, which doesn't make this an easy task. They also clean their own grave sites and take pride in polishing it and making it look nice. Sole is afraid of dead people and does not want to go to her Aunt's funeral. Ramundia talks her into going and tells her to take a tranquilizer. The village people seem to have superstitions about graves and the dead who are seen as ghosts. Augustina feels strongly it is the ghost of Ramundia and Sole's mother that has told her of their Aunt's death. Augustina thinks of her own mother and how odd it seems that she disappeared the same day as the fire that killed Ramundia and Sole's parents. Even though she wants to know what happened, she is unable to talk about her suspicions on television. When SOle's mother is knocking on the trunk, Sole seems unsure if she is seeing a ghost, but is willing to help her mom and lets her live with her.
All of the women faced challenges, but they were strong and courageous in dealing with them.

Guantanamera

There were many aspects of Hispanic culture noted in this film. One aspect that shines through many of the films we have viewed is love. The great love Georgina and Candido have is powerful. After 50 years to finally be together again. They seem so happy and then tragedy strikes. It was so sad when Gerogina died, and I think their love was so strong that Candido seemed to carry that sadness with him. He showed it many times in the film, for example when he asked the driver Tony to turn off the radio. Candido said this is not the time for celebrating. I found it interesting that Candido died at the end of the movie. Many times in America, we hear people talk of their grandparents who when one dies and the other shortly after, the say it is of a broken heart. I think many people who are so saddened by the loss of a great love loose their will to live. Another aspect of the Hispanic culture is the machismo male again. Aldofo was a character that was difficult to like. He was argumentative throughout the film. The first time we see him, he is arguing to present his idea about sharing the body. He continues to be a strong minded character, as he tells everyone what to do. He tells his wife Gina that she should not wear a beautiful dress and insults her. He later beats her in the film and she doesn't seem to show that this is unusual or the first time. I think part of the Cuban culture we see is making use of their resources. We see men on the street selling garlic, which Tony the driver buys because people in Havannah will want it. Later we see him buying bananas. Kindly he shares them with the people in the car. Aldofo doesn't seem to care about stopping for food, just sharing the body and transferring the casket form hearse to hearse. When they are getting closer to Havannah, Tony has acquired a trunk full of items to sell. The Cuban government is shown as very controlling and powerful. Adolfo must have had a higher position and them been placed as a funeral director. One lady in the film commented that it must be difficult to have the position he had an now be a funeral director. It seems that even burial is controlled by the government.

The Official Story

I was struck early in the film by a comment made by Alecia when teaching the class. She said history is the memory of the people and that in order to survive people must have a memory. I think this sends a message of hope in that even though there may be some parts of history people do not enjoy learning about, hopefully we do learn from it and make better decisions in the future. I thought the marriage between Ana and Roberto became hopeless when he abused her. I hope she stays away from such a hurtful man. One who deliberately hurts one they love can not be trusted. Initially I thought there would be a light at the end of the tunnel for Gabby. She is an adorable 5 year old, who seems to know what she wants. For example, she did not care for the magician at her birthday party, so she went to her room to do something she enjoyed. Although she is frightened when the boys playing war come into her room, she seems to be easily consoled by the love and gentle rocking of Ana. Love is a very powerful emotion, which can help to heal many things. Originally I think the mothers who were rallying to find their missing children did this out of love. However, after further research on Wkipedia I think it has taken a different voice. I was reading and it said the white head scarves they wore were frequently had the names of the children on them. I remembered that in the movie and thought how sweet. Then I read further were it said the movement broke in to two groups and one of the scholars of the groups defended the airline hijackers on 9/11/01 and said they were courageous. This sickens me. I will never understand how anyone can call someone courageous who is deliberately hurting innocent people. Therefore I am now ambivalent as to the light at the end of the tunnel for Gabby. I think with love she has the power to heal, but if she is poisoned by hatred, negative people and revenge there is no hope.

Like Water for Chocolate

Like Water for Chocolate is a film with lots of magic realism in it. I saw lots of it in the food that was prepared and served in this movie. When Rosaura marries Pedro, Tita is helping make the wedding cake. Tita is so sad her tears fall in the cake. At the reception, the beautiful cake is served. Soon after, people are shown crying and then end up sick. Another food example showing the magic realism was the quail with rose petals. Pedro had given Tita roses for her first year as cook for him and the family. Tita's mother is quite upset and tells her to throw them out. Tita hears the voice of her friend Nacha telling her not to throw them out, but use them in the quail dish. Tita uses the roses and the movie explaines that this is how Tita gets inside Pedro and they use Tita's sister as a medium and a way for Tita and Pedro to be together. This shows quite a mix of the reality of wanting to be together and the magic of using the sister Gertrudis to find a way to enjoy each other. The third time I saw magic realism used in the food was the beef broth that was brought to Tita after her nephew had died. Tita was so sad and was not speaking. Many people thought she was crazy. Dr. Brown cared for her and had a friend Checa visit her. At this time she tells Tita the broth is magic and can cure her. Amazingly, after Tita eats some broth she talks and acts the same way she did before her nephew died. Food is so important in many cultures, and I found it quite interesting how it was used in this movie. I think even the title of the film gives us an indication that the food is an important aspect of this film. I understood it to be like water is used to make hot chocolate ( which is served in the film) love is necessary for your soul to achieve its destiny.

Motorcycle Diaries

One of the first scenes that I think helped prepare Ernesto Guevara to be a revolutionary leader was when they fell off the motorcycle and found the puppy. He picked up the puppy and wanted to care for the helpless animal. Later when he gives the puppy to his girlfriend, I think it shows that he wants it to have a good home and knows the best place is not with him. Another scene is when he looks at the neck of the farmer. Alberto is telling the farmer that Ernesto is a doctor and can help him. Ernesto honestly tells the farmer that it is a tumor and he should see a specialist. Alberto tells Ernesto he should have said they would help so they could have food and a place to stay. Ernesto says, " help him with what prayers?" I won't lie at the price of someones health. Ernesto was honest and wouldn't compromise the health of the farmer for food and a place to stay. A third scene which helps shape him as a leader was when he was called to help an elderly woman. He asks if she has eaten and gives some pills for her to take. When he examines her he makes eye contact and is very compassionate throughout his assessment. In a letter to his mother he stated he knew he really couldn't help her. The fourth scene was when they were walking in the desert and met another man and lady walking. They were talking about the land that was their grandfathers that they got kicked off, and how they had to leave their son. They were looking for work in the mines. Ernesto, we find out later, gave them the money from his girlfriend. Ernesto also gives them his blanket. In the morning, people come and choose people that are on rocks to work at the mine. Ernesto tells the mining workers the people are thirsty and is ignored, he thows a rock at the truck. In a letter to his mother, he writes about peoples eyes that darken with tragedy and how their friends disappear. He describes it as the coldest night of his life. There are many more scenes that help shape him as a leader, but one of my favorites was his birthday. He was so touched by the thoughtfulness of the people and how they really wanted to make his birthday special.