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.