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FILMS ABOUT IMMIGRATION & MEXICAN
AMERICANS (CHICANOS)
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The North
(El Norte)
Gregory Nava
USA -
1983 |
Mayan Indian peasants, tired of being thought of as nothing more than "brazos
fuertes" ("strong arms", i.e., manual laborers) and organizing in an
effort to improve their lot in life, are discovered by the Guatemalan
army. After the army destroys their village and family, a brother and
sister, teenagers who just barely escaped the massacre, decide they must
flee to "El Norte" ("the North", i.e., the USA). After receiving
clandestine help from friends and humorous advice from a veteran
immigrant on strategies for traveling through Mexico, they make their
way by truck, bus and other means to Los Angeles, where they try to make
a new life as young, uneducated, and illegal immigrants. |
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Quinceañera
( Fifteen Years)
Richard
Glatzer & Wash Westmoreland
USA -
2006 |
Magdalena is 14 and anxiously awaiting her 15th birthday where she'll
celebrate her quinceanara. Her world starts to crumble when she
discovers her pregnancy after not being able to fit in her gown for her
quinceanara. Soon, she's kicked out of her home, abandoned by her
family, and abandoned by her baby's father. Magdalena is then taken in
by her great-granduncle, Tomas and her gay, often-in-trouble cousin,
Carlos. There she finds a new family and life. |
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Under The Same Moon
(La Misma Luna)
Patricia Riggin
USA -
2007 |
Tells the parallel stories of nine-year-old Carlitos and his mother,
Rosario. In the hopes of providing a better life for her son, Rosario
works illegally in the U.S. while her mother cares for Carlitos back in
Mexico. Unexpected circumstances drive both Rosario and Carlitos to
embark on their own journeys in a desperate attempt to reunite. Along
the way, mother and son face challenges and obstacles but never lose
hope that they will one day be together again. Riggen's film is not only
a heartwarming family story; she also offers subtle commentary on the
much-debated issue of illegal immigration. |
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Real Women Have Curves
(Las Mujeres Verdaderas Tienen Curvas)
Patricia Cardoso
USA -
2002 |
This is the story of Ana, a first generation Mexican-American teenager
on the verge of becoming a woman. She lives in the predominately Latino
community of East Los Angeles. Freshly graduated from high school, Ana
receives a full scholarship to Columbia University. Her very
traditional, old-world parents feel that now is the time for Ana to help
provide for the family, not the time for college. Torn between her
mainstream ambitions and her cultural heritage she agrees to work with
her mother at her sister's downtown LA sewing factory. Over the summer
she learns to admire the hardworking team of women who teach her
solidarity and teamwork. Still at odds with what her mother expects of
her, Ana realizes that leaving home to continue her education is
essential to finding her place proudly in the world as an American and
Chicana. |
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