Final Project Proposal

                              The Underrepresented:  Latinos in Films

                                                               Tony the Greaser

It's not a secret that Latinos are scarce in relevant American films. When represented in  films, Latinos, most of the times,  are depicted in negative ways.  Drug dealers,  maids,  prostitute are often some  the roles Latino actors play. There two problems in the film industry that directly affect Latinos. One, when Latinos are given a role they are the anti heros which according to the Merriam- Webster dictionary means, “a main character in a book, play, movie, etc., who does not have the usual good qualities that are expected in a hero.” In addition to this issue, when there is a Latin character in a film, this character is always present in a way that’s denigrating to the whole community. Being that the Latinos are the biggest minority group, yet they are not being represented accordingly. Besides from the negative stereotype of Latino, there is objectification of Latinos in films, “Apart from the lack of Hispanic actors, the study found Latino actors we're the group most likely to be partially or fully naked on screen - 37.5 percent of Latinas compared to 23.5 percent of Black, 31.9 percent of White and 18.2 percent of Asian actresses. Latino actors were more likely "to be shown in tight, alluring, or revealing clothing," according to the report” says an online article in NBC new.” Also,  a study found that 25 percent of the ticket bought in the movies come from Latinos consumers. The growth of the Latinos community in the United States has been imminent, yet,  the film industry does not represents the community accordingly. This project tries to understand why are Latino depicted they way they are, “Americans, commentators have observed, do not especially feel affected by the fact that Latinos consist of a younger population that is already substantially shaping American fertility, mortality, and immigration rates. But preparing for the future requires everyone to develop a different perspective and to change their attitudes,”  says Marcos Portales.

In this project I would like to explore why are Latinos not giving the opportunity to play bigger role in movies ? Also why when there is a Hero Latino?  Also, why is it that the Latino Identity always want to be oppressed? There no way for Latinos film industry consumers to feel identify in the big screen. In the article, HOW HOLLYWOOD HAS PORTRAYED HISPANICS  in the New York Times,  “Hispanics maintain that Hollywood films have always portrayed them as either vicious bandits, lazy peasants, or humorous buffoons. While emphasizing these stereotypes, Hollywood motion pictures have ignored the positive contributions of Hispanic-Americans to life and culture in the United States. While blacks and native Americans have found their screen images improving in recent years, Hispanics argue that Hollywood still utilizes caricatures that flourished at the turn of the century.” writes Allen Woll. None of the important film show the important contributions of Latinos in the United States. 

To bring alive this idea I want to make a short film that shows in a chronological order in how have the Film industry portrayed Latino over the years. From silent films until now exploring what have been the stereotypes, seeing if anything has changed. This project idea came to me after seeing West Side Story, I would like to interview professor Cortes from the Spanish Department to give me his thoughts on  the topics. Also I found a professor from Rutgers- Camden who wrote “The Latin Image in American Film.”  would be a great idea to talk to him. Another idea is interviewing Latino students to give see their opinion about their identity and if they feel they are being included in this major films