Basic Questions for the analysis of films Plot, title, enigma: 1. What is this movie about? This movie is about a father and son, Carlos and Luis, who live in East L.A. Carlos is a landscaper who is trying to make a better life for him and his son while also trying to keep Luis away from gang life. Luis is Carlos’ fifteen year old son whose girlfriend is affiliated with a gang. The story shows how the father and son come together in the goal to make a better life for themselves in a tough time. 2. If applicable, what is the historic reference? There is no historical reference. The film is based on a current issue. 3. What is the meaning of the opening scene? How does it set up the expectations for the rest of the film? The opening scene shows Carlos getting up and going to work as a landscaper. They show his drive through the poorer part of town he lives in and into the nicer neighborhoods he works in. When he goes home for the night, we see that he and Luis are living in a one bedroom. It shows what class they are and what Carlos has to do each day to support them.

4. Whose story is it? It is the story of Carlos and Luis but also of illegal immigrants as a community. It shows what life is like for them and the difficulties they face. Specifically, arguments could be made for it being Carlos’ or Luis’s story. It could be Luis’ story because Carlos has the same goals and motivations throughout the film- trying to make a life for him and is son. Luis is the driving force of the movie and the reason behind all that Carlos does. He’s kind of disobedient and has an attitude in the beginning and I would have predicted that he would get into a gang, but his attitude changes based on his dad’s actions and in the end, he has grown up a lot- obeys his dad’s wishes, stays away from his friends to avoid getting mixed up in their gang. He grows as a person and his goals change. On the other hand, it could also be Carlos’ story because the film opens and closes with him. His actions are what shape and influence Luis, who would not have a story if it weren’t for Carlos. 5. What is the meaning of the title? Is there a metaphorical meaning that extends beyond the literal one? “A Better Life” refers to what Carlos and other immigrants come to America seeking. All that Carlos does in the film is so that he can provide a better life for Luis than he had and give him more opportunities. 6. Identify recurrent stages, props, images, and settings and explain their possible meaning in the overall story development. One recurring theme was the setting. There was an emphasis on the difference between the area Carlos and Luis live in and the neighborhoods Carlos does landscaping in. The area they live is always shown at night with sirens and car alarms blaring constantly. They also show the gang life that is Luis’ potential future. On the other hand, in the nice neighborhoods where Carlos did landscaping, it is always bright and sunny and you can hear the sound of the ocean and birds chirping. In this way, setting and sound both emphasize the contrast between the two areas and Carlos’ desire to get out of their current living situation and to let Luis have a better childhood. Another theme was the gang culture, lifestyle, and influence. This was used as a negative influence and to show what could become of Luis if he is to stay in the area and not try to have a better chance at life. A prop that was crucial to the film was the truck Carlos and Blasco did there landscaping business out of. To Carlos, the truck represented hope and opportunity. Without it there would be no chance that he and Luis could have a chance at a better life.

7. What effect does the closing scene create in the audience? The ending produces mixed feelings. On the one hand it feels hopeful. Carlos is not giving up and it shows him about to cross the border into America again to come back for Luis regardless of the consequences. Also, it shows Luis obeying his father’s wishes and staying with his aunt, playing soccer, and avoiding the gangs- trying to set himself up for a better future. On the other hand, the ending is sad because we realize what little choice Carlos really has. He is repeating what he has done in the past- breaking the law, immigrating illegally, but because we have seen everything he’s been through, we want him to succeed. The story: 1. What is the coherent message?  The difficulties immigrants face in our country and how we should be more accepting and less judgmental.  Don’t let your current situation or environment influence your outcome in life.  Don’t give up or settle for the hand you’ve been dealt.

2. What is the film social or/and cultural context and why do we need to know it to better understand the film? The cultural context is the life of Hispanic immigrants in America and what they have to do to survive and make money. Carlos is an illegal immigrant and has to stay under the radar to avoid deportation while also trying to make a living for his son. Luis conflict shows viewers the pressure on young men in his situation to become a part of gang life. The film is predominantly in English and set in the U.S, which means the United States is the intended audience. The social context involves the fact that a lot of Americans are judgmental and critical of illegal immigrants, the film is making us relate to them through emotions and have more sympathy and understanding for their situation. 3. What is the basic conflict?  Obedience versus Rebellion- Carlos faces the constant choice of obedience to the law versus breaking it in order to do what he believes is right for Luis. He chooses to buy the truck to make more money even though if he gets caught driving it he will go to jail. At the end of the movie, we see him about to cross the border into the United States again in order to get back to Luis. Luis’ conflict is obedience to his father versus rebellion by disrespecting him and joining a gang.  Man versus Society- Carlos is an illegal immigrant, doing things that are contrary to the laws of society.  Want versus Need- There is a constant inner conflict in Carlos between doing what he wants to do and doing what he needs to do. He is a good person and doesn’t want to break the law, but he needs to do so in order to create a better life for his son. At the end of the movie, when he is about to cross the border back into the United States, we see that his need to be there for Luis wins out. 4. Whose narrative(s) voice(s) and/or focalization tell/shows the story? The story is told through an objective or outside perspective. While it revolves around Carlos and Luis’ lives, we do not see the story through their eyes. We see everything from the view of an outside, objective observer. There are frequently close ups of each of the character’s faces and when they speak to one another, the shot is from a view as though we are standing behind one of them observing.

Sources

Ebert, Roger. "A Better Life Movie Review & Film Summary (2011) | Roger Ebert." All Content. 6 July 2011. Web. 23 Nov. 2015. http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/a-better-life-2011 Giannetti, Louis. Understanding Movies. 11th ed. Prentice Hall, 2007. Print.

Dargis, Manohla. "Drifting Apart, Struggling Together." . The New York Times, 23 June 2011. Web. 23 Nov. 2015. A Better Life. Dir. Chris Weitz. Perf. Demian Bichir, Jose Julian, Joaquin Cosio. 2011. Film. Honeycutt, Kirk. "A Better Life: Film Review." The Hollywood Reporter. The Hollywood Reporter, 15 June 2011. Web. 23 Nov. 2015. HUM 326-01 Corey Burks, Charles Burns, Tony Cannon Fall 2015 A Better Life Directed by: Chris Weitz Screenplay by: Eric Eason, Story by: Roger L. Simon Principal Cast: Demian Bechir, José Julián Context The film takes place in present day Southern . It explores the role and life of an illegal immigrant to the United States. It also explores the challenges presented to a second generation immigrant, especially one growing up surrounded by gang culture and being presented with challenges that their parents do not understand. The film is a microcosm surrounded by protests against deportation and persecution of illegal immigrants, especially in the Southwestern United States. Plot ● It revolves around Carlos Galindo, a single father and undocumented immigrant struggling to provide “a better life” for his son, Luis. ● While Carlos works hard as a gardener, Luis struggles to stay focused on his schooling. ● Blasco, who works with Carlos as a landscaper, offers to sell his truck, and therefore his business, to Carlos. Uncertain at first, Carlos is eventually persuaded that the truck will allow him to make a great deal of money. ● Anita, Carlos’ sister, loans him the $12,000 he needs to purchase the truck. ● Things briefly appear to be looking up for Carlos, but unfortunately his hope is promptly shattered. On the first day spent working with the truck, it is stolen by a man name Santiago who Carlos hired to help with landscaping. ● Carlos and Luis search for Santiago together, and during their search attempt to bond. After finding Santiago, they differ in their methods. They learn that Santiago sold the truck to a chopshop. ● Carlos and Luis eventually track down the stolen truck, which Santiago has sold to a black market. The pair break into the property and steal back the truck. ● Soon after Carlos and Luis make their escape, they are pulled over by a police officer. Carlos, having been discovered to be an illegal immigrant, is taken to prison and is quickly deported. Luis reluctantly agrees to stay with his aunt Anita. ● A few months after being deported, Carlos begins his return journey to the United States. HUM 326-01 Corey Burks, Charles Burns, Tony Cannon Fall 2015 Themes ● The American Dream: Carlos’ quest to attain something remotely resembling the American Dream is met with obstacles at every juncture. ● Home: Although the United States Government insists that Carlos’ home is not the U.S., Carlos very much considers America his home. ● Choice: Luis is torn between his heritage and connection with his father and the gang culture of East L.A. Sound

 Each character has their own musical themes, with Carlos’s leitmotif being traditional Mexican music, and Luis’s scenes being dominated by Latin-American hip-hop.  Ample use of natural sounds, adding to the realistic style of the film. Cinematography and Mise en Scène ● Disparity between where Carlos works and where he lives. ● Rift between Luis and Carlos. ● Luis reflects on himself. ● Symbolism of breaking into “Patriot Auto Mart”. ● Trapped by the Mise en Scène. ● Mirroring of experience. La Mission USA, Peter Bratt, 2009

Director: Original Title: La Mission Length: 117 minutes Sound: Dolby Country: USA Producer: Language: English Color: color Cast: Benjamin Bratt as Che Rivera Jeremy Ray Valdes as Jes Rivera Erika Alexander as Lena Jesse Borrego as Rene Rivera Script: Peter Bratt Photography: Hiro Narita Editing: Stan Webb Music: Mark Kilian Executive Producer: Tom Steyer

Synopsis: Che, the film’s protagonist, is a bus driver, original gangster, and widower who has lived in San Francisco’s mission district for twenty-six years. He has a son, Jes, who is about to graduate high school at the film’s start. The action of the film revolves around Che’s discovery of Jes’ homosexuality and Che’s inability to reconcile this information given his religious faith and strong sense of machismo. Che also develops a relationship with his neighbor, Lena, who has recently moved into the building and who stands as both a symbol of gentrification and feminist ideology. Eventually, Jes is shot as a result of the neighborhood mentality against homosexuals, and Che is forced to deal with his bigotry and the consequence of his close-mindedness. At the film’s end, Che has finally decided that he is able to accept his son and he begins a journey toward reconciliation riding to in the low- rider he restored for his son.

What is the movie about? La Mission is about the protagonist Che’s difficulty assimilating to the various changes taking place in his neighborhood in San Francisco, and the culture at large. In particular, it focuses on his difficulty accepting his son’s homosexuality and his discomfort with the rising tide of women’s rights and gentrification. Other themes that crop up revolve around the senselessness of violence and the problems with using physical coercion to solve one’s problems. Che finds himself increasingly left behind in the cultural zeitgeist and his being rebels against this loss.

What is the relationship between its original title and the film? La Mission translate to “The Mission” and represents both the literal neighborhood in San Francisco in which the film takes place, as well as the potential religious allusion to a mission or mission trip. A mission can be a trip undertaken with religious intentions to improve the community with which it enters. It’s possible that the true mission that takes place in this film is the widening of Che’s point of view to include those whose ideology goes counter to his own. The mission is also tattooed on Che’s chest.

How does the opening scene set the tone for the rest of the movie? The opening scene presents Che as a powerful figure who maintains street credibility despite his civilian employment. He is powerful beyond the uniform he wears, and despite his position in mainstream society. In the scene Che forces two young men to leave the bus because they will not stop playing loud music. The scene demonstrates his machismo and his “original gangster” status as the young men define him. This is important because the power shown here is later called into question when his son comes out, and Che’s own machismo is called into question. Also notably, the young man in the opening scene is responsible for shooting Jes and his own eventual death triggers Che’s recovery and ability to accept his son.

Above: Che addresses a noise disturbance.

Explain the role that religion plays in the film. Religion, in particular Catholicism plays an extremely pervasive role throughout the film. Che is a seemingly devout Catholic, as shown through the cross he wears and the numerous religious symbols in his home and garage. Likewise, the sign of the cross is shown throughout the film. When Che is driving his bus, he kisses his crucifix before and after each shift. It is implied that his religious leanings are also part of the reason he is unable to accept Jes’ homosexuality at first. As Che states, “God made man and woman for a reason.” Likewise in his conversations with his Jes’ uncle, they discuss the idea of God punishing each of them for their wrongdoings through their children. The uncle, Rene, stating, “God don’t have to punish, homie, we do that good enough on our own.” Religion also features prominently in the symbol of the Virgin Mary and its different cultural incarnations. The Aztec performers in headdress conducting the ritual ceremony are also shown throughout the film and notably lead to Che’s eventual breakdown and epiphany at the film’s end.

Above: Che experiences a religious epiphany and understands his own emotional and moral complexities.

Whose story is it? Whose POV is the film told from? The film is Che’s story, however the viewer is given the point of view of Jes and Lena, the neighbor, in addition to Che. The film ultimately belongs to Che because he is the one who undergoes the most profound change.

What cinematic techniques stand out? (Editing, sound, mise en scene, movement) Music is used prominently throughout the film to establish the different cultural and generational groups intermingling within the film and the neighborhood. For example, the hip hop that the younger generation listens to is contrasted to Che’s more classic musical tastes. The techno of the gay club is contrasted to the soul music that Che plays as he gets ready to low ride. In the initial scene that reveals Jes’ homosexuality, the music is used to create tension and play with the audience’s expectation. The scene encourages the viewer to think that Jes is about to commit a break-in and the foreboding music and close-up of the gun aid in this interpretation. The reveal is then made that in fact, Jes is greeting his boyfriend, each playing into the outsider’s potential misinterpretation. The movie is all about upsetting expectations and the clash of new and old points of view and this scene nicely reverses expectations. Other cinematic techniques regularly employed include the use of camera shot through the rearview mirror, which is significant given both the role of cars in the film and the idea that objects might appear different on the surface than in reality. There are also a number of moments where the cinematography is made to emphasize how Jes is torn between his home life and cultural background and his actual identity as a gay man.

Above: The mise en scène illustrates the double bind Jes’ character experiences as he lives within two worlds. What does the movie say about the social context and period that it takes place in? The social context and time period are integral to the film’s overall meaning. Che is a man used to a certain machismo lifestyle and tightknit neighborhood compromised of folks of a similar cultural heritage. A large part of the plot is motivated by Che’s difficulty in addressing the changing cultural norms and the encroaching gentrification in his neighborhood. He is not comfortable with the increased acceptance of homosexuality nor the placement of women in a position equal to men. Early on in the film, Che describes going on a date and being called an oppressor because he tried to hold the door for the woman. He describes her as ‘confused’ – thereby showing the conflict between his ideas of chivalry and the feminist perspective. Notable too is Jes’ uncle’s voice who argues, “maybe they’re final calling you on all your bullshit,” during a conversation about women’s ‘confusion.’ Lena’s character is equally representative of the strong female character who is unwilling to deal with the same old patriarchal privileging. She also represents the force of gentrification in the neighborhood showing the changing tide both in terms of class and social values.

What social values/cultural values does the movie present? The film represents a number of cultural and social values including machismo, feminism, misogyny, the importance of family, sexuality, Catholicism and religiosity, gentrification and class issues, sobriety and alcoholism, cultural tensions and racial prejudice, the proposed wall between the US and Mexico, and the importance of upholding traditional culture through ceremony and custom. One example of the ambivalence Che feels is during the scene in the hospital when he comes to visit Jes. He holds his cross in his fingers and yet finds himself unable to touch his son, thereby representing this own inner conflict over religion and sexuality. As Che’s friend states, “You can take the man out of the mission but you can’t take the mission out of the man.”

Final shot featured below: How does the film close the story? Does it provide closure? The film ends its story with Che driving along the highway toward Los Angeles to visit his son and presumably attempt reconciliation. He drives the lowrider he planned to give to Jes thereby representing his willingness to include his son in his life despite his homosexuality. The film offers rather straightforward closure in this sense. The scene prior to this shows Che at the point of breakdown, and his subsequent gaining of sobriety after watching the traditional Mexican ceremony and understanding that its impetus was the death of his son’s attacker. The senselessness of the violence and death of the boy force Che to confront his own anger and the violence he has inflicted on those he loves. The uselessness of the resulting pain forces Che to see the error of his ways. The scene uses crosscutting and slow motion to cinematically demonstrate the psychological changes taking place in Che’s mind.

Explain the presentation of homo-sociality versus homosexuality? The presentation of homo-sociality focuses around Che and his group of male friends who are quite close and exude a strong sense of brotherhood and togetherness. This closeness is directly challenged by Jes’ homosexuality, as it exists in opposition to Che’s machismo and sense of manliness.

Above: Friends mingling as a night of low riding commences.

La Mission

Presenters: Aaron Hartley, Kaitlyn Hawkins, Mike Feldkamp

Plot, Title and Enigma

What is the movie about?

-A reformed gangster, Che, and his son undergo strain in their relationship when Che finds out his son is homosexual.

Historical Referent?

-They are tied to their culture and historical roots.

Opening Scene

-Murals, bus yard, Che’s relationship with the neighborhood, kids kicked off bus.

Whose story is it?

-Che and his progression.

Title and meaning

-Mission is the name of the neighborhood. Culture. Clash of old and new.

Recurring imagery

-Cars, food, gentrification of the neighborhood.

Closing scene

-recover, rethinking of himself, journey and discovery. The Story

What is the coherent message?

-acceptance

Cultural context.

-cultural beliefs, religion, social dynamic, very community based

Basic conflict

-Che coming to terms with his son

Whose narrative drives the story?

-It is Che’s story but his son’s story is what drives the plot and the character’s progressions are based off of that.

Summary of the Film- Real Women Have Curves is about a young girl named Ana Garcia; a girl who is on the plus size and has just graduated from high school. Her aspiration is to further her education and go to college, but Carmen her mother, prefers her to stay home and work in the family owned textile factory which is ran by her older sister Estela. After graduation she does work in the factory, but keeps college in her mine, while writing admission essay requested by her favorite, Sr. Guzman. While dreaming about going to Columbia University, she also becomes acquainted with a boy named Jimmy, who sees past her physical self (deemed unacceptable by her mother and society) and appreciates her personality. Eventually she comes to acceptance with herself fully in a scene in the factory, where Ana, Estela and other workers remove their clothes due to the hot working environment. Despite her mother’s wishes, she gets accepted into the university and finally leaves for New York.

Actors- , , Ingrid Oliu, Geroge Lopez, Brain Sites, Soledad St. Hilaire, Lourdes Perez, Jorge Cervera Jr., Felipe de Alba, Jose Gerardo Zamora, Edgar Lujan, Lina Acosta, and Marlene Forte.

History-Modern times in East Los Angeles

Director-Patricia Cardoso

Year- 2002

Film Analysis questions

Plot, title, enigma:

1. What is the meaning of the opening scene? How does it set up the expectations for the rest of the film? The opening scene holds many meanings. The first thing being Ana is doing Physical labor (cleaning) and using old newspaper to do it. This already shows the audience that the film will involve blue collar work and its entrapment. Secondly, the washing of a dirty window without Ana looking at her reflection, this shows both modesty and unacceptance of her physical features. When Estela comes out and reveals to Ana that “something happened to Carmen” and she come and talk to her, Ana replies with the fact she always has to do it and “you go”, then Estela says “she wants you, not me”, the audience is given creative foreshadowing (Carmen wants Ana because she known deep down no mother wishes, that Ana has the ability and potential to leave the working class and be successful as a white collar worker. This sets up the expectation of tension between Ana’s decision to leave for school and Carmen’s wishers for her to stay in poverty with her family. 2. Whose story is it?

The story is Ana’s for multiple reasons. Her fight for higher education, the acceptance physically and mentally from her mother, to leave poverty, achieve womanhood sexually and financially. She is the first character exposed as well as the last shown. She’s also involved in all of the climatic moments as the leading protagonist (textile factory scene where the women undress and defy society standards.

3. What is the meaning of the title? Is there a metaphorical meaning that extend beyond the literal one? The title signifies that the cliché, “beauty is on the inside” as women of all sizes can be “real” or successful people that is, they just have to have dedication and self-efficiency. Real women have curves shows that women who really care about themselves, don’t measure themselves up by their bodies, but their minds rather. That is the metaphorical meaning behind the literal one. 4. Identify recurrent stages, props, images, settings and explain their possible meaning in the overall story development. Sweatshops-signifies blue collar working standards Mannequins with small sizes- society standards for women Estela agreeing with Ana against Carmen- Although she needs help in the factory, she wants her to achieve more Ana saying her and her family is unable to afford college- poverty and its entrapment, persuasion not better oneself Carmen being pregnant but really just menopausal- her mother is bitter that Ana will soon become a woman mentally and sexually while she is losing what makes a real woman by society 5. What effect does the closing scene create in the audience? The closing scene as a long shot revealing Ana in New York by herself,”walking like a lady” as explained by her mother, signifies that one can feel beautiful in their bodies regardless of society , and should follow their dreams even if you’re along. It creates sympathy and motivation, sympathy for those who leave their loved ones and families behind and motivation to reach for what you want and to ignore societal standards an beliefs.

The story:

1. What is the coherent message? Beauty is on the inside and one should chase their dreams, regardless of what others think. Beauty is subjective, as what one person considers attractive, may be unattractive to another. Although one may be impoverished with the right attitude and help from others, you can always pull yourself out and achieve the improbable. 2. What is the film social or/and cultural context and why do we need to know it to better understand the film? The social context is of a young, slightly overweight female of Hispanic descent, living in East Los Angeles. This must be known to better comprehend the tribulations Ana and her family faces. Her defiance to her mother is often greater than average kids, as Mexican culture is typically more family oriented and religious, believing family should stay together and remain abstinent until marriage. Living in East Los Angeles also highlights the social standards of beauty as skinny because it’s surrounded by cities such as Hollywood and is highly populated, heightening the intensity of appearance. 3. What is the basic conflict? The basic conflict revolves around Ana’s dream to go away to college, while her family (mother especially) has a contrasting expectation for her life. 4. Whose narrative(s) voice(s) and/or focalization tell/shows the story? The 3rd person objective tells/shows the story, focalizing on Ana as the leading protagonist. We are given the most perspectives and information from her, as well as the most influential quotations. Real Women Have Curves

Patricia Cardoso, 2002

Robert Mudd, Taylor Parker, Joe Mouser

Summary

Real Women Have Curves is the coming-of-age story about Ana Garcia (America Ferrera), a young Mexican-American female living in East Los Angeles, CA. The movie is based on a play by Chicana playwright and co-screenwriter Josefina Lopez. Through the discourse of the film, Ana is torn between the opportunities presented to her and her obligations to her family. During the exposition of the movie, we learn that Ana commutes over an hour by bus from the densely Latino city of East Los Angeles to attend high school at the prestigious Beverly Hills High School in Beverly Hills. Her teacher, Mr. Guzman (George Lopez) encourages her and insists that she can attend a good college after high school. Her mother, Carmen Garcia (Lupe Ontiveros) rejects the idea of Ana furthering her education in favor of her finding a good husband and fulfilling her responsibilities as a wife and mother. Ana is challenged by her self-doubt due to the popular image of female beauty and her mother’s constant pestering about her weight. At the same time Ana is faced with reluctance to pursue higher education, feeling her obligation to her family that is very dear to her. Ana also comes into conflict with her cultural identity in a dress making shop, operated by her sister, she first sees as a “sweat shop” where the other Latina women are exploited for their labors by high end relators. Ana begins to see over the course of the film that these women are hardworking, creative and proud of their work in the dress shop. Through the events in the film Ana gains new perspective, self-assurance and pride in herself and her society with a promising future ahead of her.

Major Actors

America Ferrera, Lupe Ontiveros, Ingrid Oliu, Geroge Lopez, Brain Sites, Soledad St. Hilaire, Lourdes Perez, Jorge Cervera Jr., Felipe de Alba, Jose Gerardo Zamora, Edgar Lujan, Lina Acosta, and Marlene Forte.

Historic referent

Modern day East Los Angeles, CA: a largely Latino (approx. 97%, 2010 US Census) community east of the eastside of Los Angeles, CA.

Meaning of the opening scene

Ana is cleaning the windows to her house before getting ready to leave on her long commute to her last day of high school in Beverly Hills. Her sister informs her that her mother is bedridden and demands to talk to her. Ana protests that she is always fussing over something and reluctantly goes to see what her mom desires. She goes to her bedroom to ask her mom what she wants from her. Carmen tells her she needs to stay home and take care of the house, cook and clean for the rest of the family, because she is not feeling well. Ana protests that she is not missing the last day of high school and that her sister is equally capable of taking care of things.

Ana is cleaning and using old newspaper to do it. This shows the audience that Ana is of modest means and has obligations to her household. Second, Ana washes the window without looking at her reflection, this reveals her negative self-image. This scene establishes the relationship between Ana and Carmen that makes up an essential conflict in the film. It is the foundation for the conflict between meeting traditional expectations and climbing the social ladder.

Whose story

It is clearly Ana’s story. The conflicts involve her struggle to find self-identity and acceptance, while respecting her role in her family unit and establishing her place in society trying to climb the social ladder through higher education.

Meaning of the title

The title, Real Women Have Curve, refers to a critical scene in the movie when tired of her mother’s pestering insults about her weight and societies’ objectification of thin women, Ana declares that curves are beautiful. This all transpires during a hot day working in her sister’s dress making shop; Ana decides to take of her shirt, being only in the company of other women. Her mother quickly scolds her and tells her that she is indecent, and aside from that, overweight. Ana rebels by rallying the rest of the women in defense of a larger woman’s beauty. This encourages everyone there, minus Carmen, to strip down to their undergarments.

The title refers to the trite, but true saying, “beauty is on the inside,” as women of all sizes represent the “real woman,” they have to construct a positive self-image. Real women have curves shows that women who really care about themselves, don’t measure themselves by their bodies, but rather their minds.

Recurrent stages/props/ images/settings

Her sisters dress shop functions as a representation of duality in the Mexican-American identity, of proud craft workers that are at the same time marginalized. Mannequins with small sizes represent social standards for women.

Closing scene

In a similar manner that Stand and Deliver instilled a sense that higher education can lead to social mobility for member of marginalized minorities in the United States, the closing scene, when Ana arrives in New York to attend Columbia University inspires hope in the viewer that she will continue to succeed. It evokes sympathy and motivation: sympathy for those who leave their families and cultures behind, and motivation to achieve higher status and positive self-image.

Coherent message

It is important to have a strong self-affirming positive self-image and pave one’s own road to success.

Social/cultural context

East Los Angeles is an overwhelmingly majority Latino municipality with a relatively low median household income. This is crucial to the story of Ana. She wants to take the opportunities presented to her and progress the image of a woman of Mexican heritage in the US. At the same time, she feels obligated to respect her responsibilities to her family, who she cares for a lot.

Basic conflict

Ana torn between opportunities to be successful and her responsibilities to her family while transitioning into adulthood.

Narrative voice/ focalization

Third person objective Works Cited

LaVoo, George., et al. Real Women Have Curves. United States: HBO Video, 2003. DVD.

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Cortina, Guadalupe. “La Política De La Representación: La Rebelión De Las Latinas En Los Mass Media”. Arizona Journal of Hispanic Cultural Studies 6 (2002): 115–127. Web... La Jaula de Oro The Golden Dream Hunter T, Kate S & Yudi S

Directed by: Diego Quemada-Diez Main Characters: Juan, Chauk, & Sara Setting: From , through Mexico, to the United States Year: 2013 Historical context: The country of Guatemala is very dangerous for the people that live there. The people living within the city live in crowded conditions where there are high crime rates. In the 1960s there was a shift in military power, and the environment became even more dangerous for the people in Guatemala, especially for the indigenous people living outside of the city. Because of this, children in these communities are sent on a long journey to the United States in hopes of having better opportunities for their lives. They face many dangerous obstacles every step of the way. Plot: • The Golden Dream is about three teenagers, around sixteen years old, that attempt to make the journey from Guatemala to the United States. They are looking for a better life and a place of freedom. • Sara, Juan, and Chauk struggle to get along and put their differences aside to take the journey. • Unfortunately, only one survives the journey. The Story: • Point of View: Some of the film is told from Juan’s point of view, but most of the story is told from an objective point of view. In a lot of the film, it seems as if the viewer is actually on the journey with the characters. • The basic conflict: A group of four teenagers are leaving their home in Guatemala with hopes of immigrating to the United States for a chance at a better life. They face many dangerous situations while they are on their journey. The audience is left wondering who will actually make it to their destination. • Social/ Cultural Context: The characters are from Guatemala. They have to cross the Mexican border, as well as the United States’ border in order to achieve “the golden dream”. They face many different conflicts as they make the long journey to the U.S. Their journey represents the journey of the many children that are sent to here to the United States to escape their dangerous surroundings. The concept of illegal immigration is definitely controversial here in the United States. • The message: This film exposes the truth behind hatw the children that make these journeys have to go through. They risk their lives in hopes of having a better life. So often people will look down upon immigrants without actually knowing the full story of what people have to go through to get here. This film can help people to have a better understanding of all of the dangers these children are trying to escape. Hopefully after watching this film, people may not have such a negative view. The opening Scene: • In the opening scene we see Juan walking down a narrow alleyway. The way that he is being shot, from someone looking slightly above him suggests that he is lesser. He is also being surrounded by the buildings in such a way that suggests he is trapped. Shortly after, we see Sara staring in the mirror, representing that she is going through a change. Sara cuts her hair, wraps cloth around her chest, and dresses like a young boy so she can appear as a boy through their journey. This false identity tells the viewer that some things might not be what they seem. The Title: • The film La jaula de oro, is also known as “The Golden Dream”. La Jaula de Oro The Golden Dream Hunter T, Kate S & Yudi S

• This title represents the ideal life in the United States. To them, a life in the United States is like a golden dream. One of the youngsters even said, “I feel that everything we will see on the other side will be full of good.” • There is a metaphorical meaning of the title that extends beyond the literal one. In fact, America is referred to as the “the golden cage”. The title uses this reference. Recurrent Images • The clue of the overall story is the snow scene, which appears in Chauk’s dreams. • It represents purity and the dream life these poor children are trying to achieve. All they want is to cross the border and make their dream come true. Or, in other words, just for a chance to see the snow. Snow is something that they always talk about, but are never able to receive until the end. • The train and railway track is a recurrent scene in the film. • It’s the mainline of this movie. Three young undocumented immigrants cross one border after another, they cannot manage the whole trip without the train. They hitch a train rides from city to city in hopes of finding the Golden Dream. • The word ‘taiv’ also appeared several times in the film. • In fact, we don’t know the exact meaning of ‘taiv’ till the end, but it seems that it means snow. The Closing Scene • At the end of the movie, Juan is looking up at snow falling in the night sky. The film ends with endless snow and silence. Although they could not understand each other’s language, Juan definitely realized that one of the reasons Chauk wanted to cross the border was to see snow. • The closing scene strengthens the film. • It reminds audiences of Chauk’s dream, and the scene where Chauk and Juan are looking at the fake snow through a window. Up until this point the characters have “seen” snow, but have been unable to attain it. As Juan stands there in the middle of all of the snow, looking up into the light there is a sense of calm. The audience is definitely left with questions, but at that moment it seems that everything is going to be okay for Juan. • The closing scene provides a wide imaginary space for audience. It struck deep into the minds of the audience. Who’s Story • The Golden Dream is mostly Juan’s story. • In the beginning, it seems it could be all three of the teens’ stories but since Juan is the only survivor, it becomes his story. • Juan lives out the “dream” that they so many attempted to achieve. • Juan is also the character that changes and develops the most through out the movie. • He is forced to grow up, and out, of his teenage attitude and become a young man that is able to fend for himself. References: Cramer, Elizabeth. "Guatemalan Immigrants." Immigration to the United States. Immigrationtounitedstates.org, 2015. Web. 22 Nov. 2015. The Golden Dream. Dir. Diego Quemada Diaz. Perf. Brandon Lopez, Rodolfo Dominguez, & Karen Martinez. Edher Compos, 2014. DVD.

The Golden Dream

What is the movie about? The movies is about 3 teens who attempt to flee their homeland of Guatemala due to poverty. Samuel, Sara, and Juan all leave and run into another immigrant named Chauk. The kids get caught by immigrant agents and get deported. However they get dropped off right by the border and can maneuver their way around it. Samuel decides to stay behind. The movie follows their journey as young undocumented immigrants.

If applicable, what is the historic referent? There is not a certain historical event the film references. However, it does reference immigration… the whole movie is sort of about it which is a real situation.

What’s the meaning of the opening scene? In the opening scene, Sarah is covering up everything that physically makes her female. She cuts her hair and wraps her chest. She is doing what she believes she needs to to make the journey easier. Even though she changes her identity she still gets found out and taken by the traffickers.

Who’s story is it? The story is Juan’s. Juan is the only character who actually makes it to the United States. You can see his struggle throughout the film. He starts as the ring leader and then feels threatened when Chauk shows up. You see him go through a lot of different emotions like jealousy, anger, sadness, etc.

What is the meaning of the title? The meaning of the title of “The Golden Dream” falls in the dream of the teens. They had a dream of escaping poverty and making it to a new land. The dream of these immigrants was a fantasy of a perfect land and easy journey which didn’t really exist. It was a pipe dream. At the same time, it can be taken as a dreaming of gold or riches. They are leaving to escape poverty and dream of getting rich in the United States.

Identify recurrent stages, props, images, settings and explain their possible meaning in the overall story development. Trains/Tracks: A type of travel that is set on a specific course that cannot be altered. At the disposal of the way the tracks go with the terrain, as well as many other forces. Guns/Police: harshness of the poverty they are facing as well as with the journey ahead. Everyone wants their piece of the profit, even when those they are extorting have nothing left.

What effect does the closing scene create in the audience? As Juan is watching the snow fall after leaving the meat plant he finally understands why Chauk wanted to make it north, to see the snow. The final scene not only gives us the sense of peace for Juan but it also gives us a bit of closure. The snow also lets us remember the groups journey, and who Juan lost along the way. Out of the 4 on the journey, only 1 managed to make it to the destination.

What is the coherent message? Coherent message: is when we have a story that makes sense to the audience and it follows in a logical order.

In the movie we do have this type of message when we follow the group trying to get to America. We follow them from Guatemala and back and then north again. The only time we do not follow the coherent message is when Samuel and Sara are taken from the group. Each time we lose a team member their part of the story ends. Juan is the only one who has the story all the way to the end.

This message discusses the struggle from leaving poverty in order to reach a better life in the states. The risks taken to reach the north are worth (to Juan and his crew) whatever it takes to make it, even though there is a strong possibility they may not make it all the way there. The struggles of immigration, especially without documentation.

What is the film social or/and cultural context and why do we need to know it to better understand the film? We must understand the poverty that many people live in as well as the struggle it is to move o the United States, with or without documents. As Americans we often underestimate the level of poverty in other parts of the world and the lengths people will go to in order to have a better life. If we understand the poverty in Guatemala that these kids are living in, we might understand their desire to leave a little better. Also the relationship between the mainstream and indigenous cultures might help us to understand why Juan dislikes Chauk so much.

What is the basic conflict? Poverty v. Immigration This is due to the fact that poverty is harsh in its own way, but immigrating, especially through Mexico and into the United States is also dangerous. In the group’s journey, only one managed to make it out of four. While Chauk was killed after reaching the United States, Samuel decided to turn back after being deported from Mexico and Sara was take by sex traffickers. The struggle is between living, miserably, where they started, or risking everything for something better. Whose narrative(s) voice(s) and/or focalization tell/shows the story? The story is from an objective standpoint, or 3rd person. We are watching the story unfold from the outside looking in and no single person is influencing the story more than the others. While the beginning of the film may seem to relate more to Juan and Sara, it transitions as the group gets further from home. Eventually only Chauk and Juan are left, so the story follows them, and in the end, just Juan. The story is focusing on the journey, following whoever continues the journey towards the north.

Without A Name (2009) Marisa Lind, Sal Lanci, Nicci Madison

Plot, title, enigma:

1.What is this movie about? The movie is about a Mexican gang member, Willy or El Casper, and a Honduran girl, Sayra, attempting to immigrate to the United States. Willy is fleeing from the murder he committed against the fellow gang member who tried to rape his girlfriend but accidentally killed her instead. Sayra wants to escape Honduran poverty and find her family in New Jersey. Eventually, Willy is killed by his gang and Sayra is left to make it to Texas on her own. At the end of the film she calls her family, and ther

2.If applicable, what is the historic referent? Honduras is the poorest country in the region. The precarious conditions in which the urban and rural poor live, including Sayra’s grandmother, have cost thousands their lives, prey to hurricanes, heavy rain and floods. The banana plantation that Sayra, her father and uncle cross by foot en route to Mexico might have been a killing field where the CIA-backed military death squads were assassinating peasants and terrorizing the Salvadorian people in the 1980s. The border between Mexico and Guatemala is full of dangers; immigrants are constantly exposed to assault and exploitation by corrupt Mexican authorities. Many see their dreams of getting a decent job in the US come to an end at the frontier and must begin the painful trip back to their country of origin. (Arce.)

3.What is the meaning of the opening scene? How does it set up the expectations for the rest of the film? The opening scene introduces Willy and Smiley and establishes their friendly relationship. It sets the film up to be about brotherhood and loyalty because Willy entrusts him with the secret of him having a camera. The following scene where Smiley gets partially initiated into the gang then further explores the issue of what loyalty means as the gang members beat him. This is emphasized in the final scene in which Smiley kills Willy despite their friendship because Willy betrayed the gang.

4.Whose story is it?

It is unclear whose story it is. The film opens with Willy and mainly follows him throughout. However, Sayra closes the film and is seen suffering through the most loss.. The answer to this question depends on which theme you are exploring. Willy realizes his past mistakes and wants to escape and possibly atone for them by helping Sayra. If you want to focus on redemption, then it is Willy’s story. Sayra has self-worth issues since her father left her behind the first time he immigrated to the United States and is mostly passive in the film. If you want to focus on female oppression, then it is Sayra’s story. Both Sayra and Willy experience character development and extreme change, so either can be considered the focus of the story. 5.What is the meaning of the title? Is there a metaphorical meaning that extends beyond the literal one?

The central plot of the film is Sayra and Casper’s journey from Honduras and Mexico to a final destination in the United States. While immigration is constantly in the U.S. media, many of us are ignorant to the true consequences for those that are actively trying to leave their home countries. For the most part these people are nameless, faceless. Especially for those immigrants that come from Latin America, we rarely hear many personal stories, just a lumping together of narratives of those “illegally” immigrating across the border. Sin Nombre attempts to paint a bigger picture of why people choose to immigrate and how difficult it is to get into the U.S. and stay there.

6.Identify recurrent stages, props, images, settings, and explain their possible meaning in the overall story development.

Probably one of the most central recurring themes of Sin Nombre are the trains and the station at La Bombilla. This is central to the immigration aspects of the plot because this is where people are travelling in hopes of riding a train to Texas. This is where Sayra, her father and uncle travel to from Honduras (La Bombilla is on the border of Guatemala.) La Bombilla is also gang territory, another thing central to one of the characters, Casper. Casper is a representation of those that are trapped within the cycle of gang violence in Mexico and want to escape to el Norte. La Bombilla is Mara Salvatrucha territory, representing some of the dangers that nameless immigrants must face for so much as a chance to escape to the United States

7.What effect does the closing scene create in the audience?

The closing scene of Sin Nombre is bittersweet in a way. The audience is left with a feeling of closure and yet unease. While Sayra is able to reach her destination and contact her father’s family in New Jersey, the fate of Smiley is not so great. At the end we see him initiated into Mara Salvatrucha, his inner lip tattooed with the gang’s initials. Being a film about the reasons why people immigrate and the obstacles they face while trying to do so, the closing scene is almost a reminder to the viewer while there are some that make it, there are some that don’t. Sayra’s father doesn’t make it the same way that Casper never makes it – but unlike Smiley who never even set out on the journey to make it out of his perpetual cycle. Some make the journey and die along the way, some stay to reclaim some semblance of family and stability but fall pray to false hopes given to youth by gang culture. Though Sayra made it to the U.S. she’s still not quite out of the water yet. She’s another nameless person in a crowd, but still faces the dangers of being deported if caught by the police.

The Story:

1.What is the coherent message? The film is sending a message that poor people in Mexico and Central America are in a very difficult position. Even if these people want to start to have a better life they run into many obstacles. Gang violence and poverty hold them back, as well as difficulties with immigration into the United States. It is also saying that morality is more important than loyalty at some times, and loyalty can hold someone back.

2.What is the film social and/or cultural context and why do we need to know it to better understand the film?

In many poorer areas in Mexico, gang violence is a large problem and an issue that people deal with in their everyday lives. People who wish to escape it are not always able to. Getting to the United States is a life threatening process even though it is the only viable option that some families have. Planning this immigration is a large part of the culture, and the goal for many people. For this film, it is important to understand that immigrating is the only hope that some families have in these areas.

3.What is the basic conflict?

The basic conflict is loyalty vs. morality. At the beginning of the film, audience sees Willy struggle with loyalty because he has a girlfriend that lives on the other side of town, but he still loves her. Willy breaks loyalty with his gang because they killed his girlfriend. He does the moral thing on the train, which is to save Sayra and the other innocent people. Also, Sayra is traveling with her family to the border, but she knows she has a better chance of getting there if she leaves the train with Willy. She struggles with family loyalty and doing the right thing of staying with her family, or leaving and making it on her own.

4.Whose narrative voice and/or focalization tells/shows the story?

The story begins with Willy’s focalization and ends with Sayra’s focalization. We witness both of their stories until they converge. The story begins with Willy and his journey with his girlfriend and gang. We also witness some of Sayra’s life when her father comes back to Mexico to bring her and her brother with him to New Jersey. Eventually, we see the two viewpoints come together on the train when Willy saves Sayra from being assaulted by a fellow gang member. The next part of the story is told through both or their perspectives until the end when Willy dies and the ending is shown through Sayra’s focalization.

Bibliography Arce, Luis. Sin Nombre: The Fate of Central American Youth on Their Way to the US -. World Socialist Website, 24 Apr. 2009. Web. 30 Nov. 2015. .

Fokunaga, Cary Joji. Without A Name (Sin nombre). US, 2009.

"Map of DSHS Border Area." Office of Border Health. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Nov. 2015. .

Marohn, John. "Sin Nombre, A Film Review." Against the Grain. N.p., 30 May 2013. Web. 28 Nov. 2015. .

"Photo Gallery." IMDb. IMDb.com, 2009. Web. 28 Nov. 2015. .

Sabloff, Nicholas. "21 Killed In Massive Mexican Gang Shootout Near US Border." The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 25 May 2011. Web. 28 Nov. 2015. .

Terrazas, Aaron. "Mexican Immigrants in the United States." Migrationpolicy.org. N.p., 22 Feb. 2010. Web. 28 Nov. 2015. . Morgan Martin, Ian-Michael Mason, Louis Metzinger

Dr. Medina

Humanities 326

November 29, 2015

Without A Name

 Main Characters: o El Casper o Sayrah o El Smiley o Lil Mago o El Sol  Genre: Thriller/Adventure  Original title is, Sin Nombre, which translates to “Without a Name”  Themes: Freedom, Immigration, Family, Sacrifice 1. This movie is about a Mexican gangster, El Casper, and his journey as he leaves his gang.

He eventually meets a Honduran girl, Sayrah, as they are both on the journey to

immigrate into the United States. El Casper saved Sayrah’s life from the leader of his

gang, and the two make the journey to the border together. They form a friendship, and

she looks to him as her protector. Once the two make it to the border, Sayrah makes it

across, but the rest of El Casper’s gang members find him and shoot him. Sayrah

eventually makes it to the United States and is united with her younger sisters. 2. The historical referent of this movie gives an insight into gang violence in Mexico that

has been occurring for quite some time and is a definite issue that the country faces. It

also gives a look at the dangers faced during the journey to immigrate into America. 3. The opening scene shows one of the main characters, El Smiley, being initiated into the

gang. This required thirteen full seconds of intense beating. This opening scene set the

tone for the rest of the film to show the seriousness that involves gang violence as well as

the amount of violence we would be seeing throughout the rest of the film. 4. Although this film could be seen as Sayrah or El Caspers story, it is more El Caspers.

The film begins and ends with him, as well as showing more personal aspects of his life

as opposed to Sayrah’s. We see the attempted rape of his girlfriend, as well as her murder

by the gang leader. We also see his death at the end of the film, and the bravery he

exhibits throughout the film to help Sayrah get to the border. 5. Yes, there is a deeper, metaphorical meaning to the title. The title of the film Sin Nombre

translates to Without a Name in English. This carries a deeper significance, because a

common theme throughout the movie is the loss of identity. The film follows a young

boy who is initiated into a Mexico City gang, and branded with the nickname Smiley. He

continues to go by this name for the entirety of the film, playing into the loss of identity

as he progress through the ranks of his street gang. The film also deals with issues of immigration, which inherently implies a loss of identity as you immerse yourself into a

new and foreign culture. 6. The setting of Mexico City is a prominent recurring image throughout the film. It serves

as a reminder of how catastrophic and hard life in Mexico and Central America can be.

Another recurring element of the film is the relationship that evolves between Casper and

Smiley. We soon come to see that Casper is representative of the all of those people who

are stuck in an environment that they did not create and are not responsible for creating. 7. In the closing scenes of the film, Sayra is able to call her relatives on the phone and it

seemingly ends on a happy note. However, this small victory doesn’t seem to balance out

the previous hardship experienced previously. This last scene seems to say that despite

the minor victory she’s accomplished at the end, she has a long struggle waiting for her

ahead.

The Story

1. Without a name, a story about immigration and gang violence, tells the story of El Casper and his gang Mara Salvatrucha. Some of the members of his gang go to a place along the train tracks known as La Bombilla, where illegal immigrants board trains to cross the border. He ends up crossing paths with a family attempting to escape from Mexico to New Jersey to meet up with their family. El Casper, going by his nickname “Willy”, becomes close to a girl from the family named Sayra. El Casper decides that he wants to help Sayra and promises her that he will get her back to her family.

The coherent message is probably the idea of redemption. The film does an excellent job of recreating the struggle that young people face in Central America. They are set up to fail in a society in which young people, either fall into gang violence or do not survive. In the film, El Casper and Sayra are brought together by a common desire to make it and the drive to change their fate, to put the past in the past, and change their lives for the better.

2. The social and cultural context of the film is very important to understand because some in the west may not exactly understand the level of poverty and cultural of violence that exists in some parts of Central and Southern America. In recent decades the emergence of gangs violence in

Central America has become a severe problem. “In city where gangs already existed, it was natural for these new immigrants to join or create new gangs, if only for defensive purposes”.

(http://www-pub.naz.edu/~gbower6/history.html) Without knowing this fact, one might think that this film is an isolate story, but in reality represents an entire culture, and is undeniably a very common story.

3. The basic conflict exists internally within El Casper. He is fighting against his culture, a life of violence in a gang, and his desire for redemption and a way out of the violence. There are other exterior conflicts, like the hostility between El Casper and Lil Mago, but the main conflict exists within El Caspers moral compass.

4. The story is told through the eyes of El Casper.The film begins and ends with him, as well as showing more personal aspects of his life as opposed to Sayrah’s. We see the attempted rape of his girlfriend, as well as her murder by the gang leader. We also see his death at the end of the film, and the bravery he exhibits throughout the film to help Sayrah get to the border. References

"11 Killed in Mexico, including 2 in Town on US Border." Yahoo! News. Yahoo!, 27 Nov.

2015. Web. 30 Nov. 2015.

"Gangs in Central America." Gangs in Central America. Web. 30 Nov. 2015.