Chicana/o and Latina/o Representation in Cinema

"This course examines the unique status of race in the history of American cinematography. Film, like most art forms, inevitably involves meditations on personal and national identity. American film is particularly distinguished for its racialized construction of America and Americans. While cinematic discourses on race are controversial—especially the more overtly racist views in early twentieth-century film—these discourses on race also are complex and change dramatically over time.

This course is designed so that students will come to realize the importance of analyzing films as texts that illuminate deeply held beliefs around race, class, ethnicity, gender and national origin. It examines the enduring stereotypes of Latinas/os that appear in mainstream media productions, (primarily film focused on Mexican Americans and Puerto Ricans). We will also explore attempts by Latina/o filmmakers to subvert these images and present more complex characters and a multi-focal understanding of Chicano/Latino history, experience and culture. Chicano/Latino film will be studied as a form of cultural representation and insider communication. Students will learn the basics of film theory and criticism, an overview of cinematic history, and the socio-historical context for analyzing each film so that they can better understand the politics of representation. As they learn to interpret for meaning, students will begin to see media production as a means of socialization rather than just as an art or entertainment form. We will also discuss the role of film as a political tool in social movements. Students will learn how to evaluate and interpret moving images, visual symbols, and the narrative of cinema as an art form, but also as a means of (re)constructing and maintaining an ethnic identity. This will include discussion of the burden of representation that is placed on Latina/o filmmakers, screenwriters, and actors."

Chicanismo

Martyrs of the Alamo

The Alamo

Salt of the Earth

Piece of the American Dream

Senorita Extraviada

Requie 29

Los Vendidos

Zoot Suit

La Bamba

The Lemon Grove Incident

Hero Street USA

Siempre Palante

The Young Lords

Chicana!

Real Women Have Curves

How Else Will I Know if I am Alive

The Garden of Eden

American Me

Blood in, Blood out

Mi Vida Loca

El Norte

Latino

Mi Familia

Farmingville

I like it that

Stand and Deliver

Born in East LA

A Day Without a Mexican

Culture Clash

Selena

Lonestar

Corpus: A Home Movie

The Pérez Family

Come and Take it Day

Dirty Laundry

Pretty Vacant

Louis Mendoza, Arizona State University

Open Educational Resources (OER)