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.
You have the right direction as to how you want to gather and portray the information. I suggest doing a Good, Bad, and Ugly representation of Latinos in movies. That way you can organize your points and centralize the idea of the kind of stereotypes that exist.
ReplyDeleteThis is a very interesting topic and is very relevant to today's portrayal of Latino's in American media. You could also discuss whether or not Hispanic diversity in films has grown in recent years. For example, celebrities such as Jennifer Lopez and Sofía Vergara greatly represent the Latin community and were listed as one of the highest-paid actresses in Hollywood in 2013. Here's an article I found if you're interested: http://www.latinospost.com/articles/21669/20130618/sofia-vergara-jennifer-lopez-highest-paid-latinos-music-movies.htm
ReplyDeleteI agree 100% with the focus of the project is. As a latino myself, Im tired of seeing the typical drunk neighbor characters or the mexican gangbanger. I think this film can serve as a sort of "slap in the face" to begin changing the images of latinos in films. Or it can at least get students who watch your film to think differently whenever they go to the movies in the future.
ReplyDeleteThis is glorious! You are talking about Latinos being misrepresented in the media while I'm talking about the same but about Asians. Anyway I like this idea and you definitely expand not only to Latino actress but also actors such George Lopez and his show George Lopez. Although it may take some searching but you can definitely watch some of its episodes and help others learn that Latinos make up a vast majority of the working class. Hopefully this helps and remember enjoy life.
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