Movies

Library of Congress adds 5 Latino movies to the National Film Registry

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Library of Congress adds 5 Latino movies to the National Film Registry

As I delve deeper into these extraordinary lives and careers of these trailblazing artists, I am truly in awe of their impact and resilience. Each one of them has broken barriers, paved new paths, and left an indelible mark on the entertainment industry.

Five films with Latino themes, including the stoner comedy “Up in Smoke” from 1978, the teen action movie “Spy Kids” released in 2001, the Mexican Mafia crime drama “American Me” (1992), the sci-fi adventure “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan” (1982) and the indie film “Mi Familia” (1995), have been added to the National Film Registry at the Library of Congress.

In a statement, U.S. Representative Joaquin Castro from Texas commented that the recently added Latino-directed films to the National Film Registry portray intricate and at times challenging narratives. These movies showcase Latinos as both heroes and villains, depict hardworking immigrants as well as comical characters, and present Latinos in various roles such as space explorers and beyond.

Castro, a persistent champion for Latino visibility in film and television, has effectively lobbied for the incorporation of movies like “Selena” (1997), “¡Alambrista!” (1977), and “The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez” (1982) into the records.

This year, a politician collected numerous ideas for movies focusing on Latino themes and broadcasted the shortlisted titles, aiming that they might be included in the Library of Congress’ annual list of 25 additions. Out of his recommendations, four films were chosen this year; however, “Star Trek II” was not among them, although he warmly accepted its inclusion.

He notes, “These movies collectively offer a distinctive snapshot of Latino influence on U.S. film industry, highlighting the exceptional skills that Latinos exhibit in front of the camera.

All films are available from major streaming services.

The Times interviewed filmmakers, actors, and other parties who were elated about the groundbreaking decision made by the Library of Congress to acknowledge five legendary cinematic landmarks.

“Mi Familia” (1995)

Under the direction of Gregory Nava, the film “Mi Familia” narrates a multi-generational tale about a Mexican-American family residing in Los Angeles, entwining their narrative with the city’s historical turmoil, encompassing issues such as illegal deportations during the 1940s and racial tensions that surfaced in the 1970s.

In my opinion, this movie stands out as one of the finest depictions of Los Angeles – a film that truly captures the essence and spirit of Los Angeles, specifically the Latin culture. Indeed, it feels like our city, according to Nava.

Nava managed to assemble an impressive group of actors, such as Edward James Olmos, Jimmy Smits, Esai Morales, Benito Martinez, Jacob Vargas, Constance Marie, and Jennifer Lopez. Despite initial doubts from studios about his capacity to find a complete Latino cast, Nava stood firm and refused to look for actors who could pass as Latino.

In his own words, as a filmmaker of Latin descent, Nava acknowledged the challenging nature of the industry but emphasized the importance of fostering chances for our exceptional talents. He firmly believes that “Mi Familia” served as a key to unlocking opportunities and is deeply proud of this achievement.

Cast members Smits and Morales welcomed the news in separate statements.

I’m thrilled that ‘My Family’ has been acknowledged as a significant movie portraying the Mexican-American experience, made by a group of gifted Latino filmmakers whom I had the honor to work with. I believe its themes remain relevant even today.

Morales agreed wholeheartedly, expressing that “The lyrical charm, genuine portrayal, and meticulously made production of Mi Familia truly mark it as a timeless masterpiece in contemporary American art.

In other words, Nava has made his third inclusion in the National Film Registry, with previous entries being his 1983 independent movie “El Norte” and the 1997 biopic “Selena.” Currently, he’s developing a script about Dolores Huerta.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is planning a restoration of “Mi Familia.”

“American Me” (1992)

In a fresh and straightforward rephrasing: The first directorial effort by Olmos, titled “American Me,” offers a gritty depiction of criminal activity on the streets of L.A., as well as within prisons. This portrayal centers around the character Montoya Santana, who is loosely based on the infamous prison gang La eMe. Lou Adler, a Jewish Mexican record producer and filmmaker known for his involvement in “Up in Smoke,” served as an executive producer for this movie.

Olmos shared with The Times that he declined other projects specifically to share these tales. Now, it seems, these movies are being utilized within the National Registry as a record of our culture and the art of filmmaking.

The Mafia-themed crime thriller becomes Olmos’ fifth film to be included in the National Film Registry, with previous selections being “Stand and Deliver,” “Selena,” “¡Alambrista!,” “The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez,” and now “Mi Familia.

Olmos stated, ‘These movies deserve to be comprehended and treated with respect and appreciation within the film industry and artistic community.’

A resident of East LA is planning to create and manage a Luis Valdez romantic tale titled “Valley of the Heart” for a movie. This historical film delves into the love story that unfolded between Japanese-American and Mexican-American families during World War II, emphasizing the unity between these two communities.

“Spy Kids” (2001)

The 2001 film “Spy Kids,” directed by Robert Rodriguez, tells the story of siblings Carmen (Alexa PenaVega) and Juni Cortez (Daryl Sabara), who embark on a mission to save their parents, Gregorio (Antonio Banderas) and Ingrid (Carla Gugino), both ex-spies for a hidden government agency. Significant Latino characters include the brothers’ pretended uncle Felix (Cheech Marin) and their long-lost but genuine uncle Machete (Danny Trejo).

Initially, film studios resisted the idea of focusing on a Latino family, but Rodriguez ultimately won them over with a comparison to the globally popular James Bond character.

In a conversation with The Times in 2023, Rodriguez stated, “You don’t need to be British to appreciate James Bond. Being British gives him a unique identity, and it broadens his appeal. It makes one wish they were British.” This resonated with many.

Following its premiere, the action-comedy raked in approximately $150 million at the box office, which was four times its production cost. Since that time, “Spy Kids” has grown into a series, encompassing three sequels, a Machete spinoff, and a 2023 remake of the initial film.

Rodriguez’s latest film has been added to the National Film Registry, marking the second time one of his movies has been included. His 1992 neo-western action film “El Mariachi” was the first.

Once upon a time, a friend shared with me that when their child spotted my name in the credits of ‘Spy Kids’ and noticed we shared a similar name, it significantly impacted their future perspective. It broadened the possibilities of who they could become, Rodriguez commented. That’s the strength that comes from on-screen representation and diversity.

“Up in Smoke” (1978)

Back in the day, I found myself immersed in “Up in Smoke,” a hilarious flick directed by Adler and Tommy Chong. This was where the unforgettable duo, Cheech & Chong, made their big screen debut. Our goal? To score some top-notch weed and have a laugh or two along the way. Little did we know that our laid-back adventure would lead us down a series of misadventures, each narrowly avoided before we finally rocked out at the Roxy Theater for a battle of the bands. While the storyline took a backseat, the film was filled with quick-witted jokes and improvised humor that left me in stitches.

In a different phrasing: The movie about the pothead earned $104 million at the cinema, costing just $2 million to produce. Despite initially facing criticism for its depiction of the 1970s counterculture, it has since become a popular film that’s known for introducing comedic marijuana-centric themes in cinema.

As a dedicated cinephile, I can’t help but feel thrilled to the bone! My favorite films, “Up in Smoke” and “Spy Kids,” have been given the prestigious honor of being inducted into the National Film Registry. It’s an unbelievable moment for me, a testament to the timeless impact these movies have had on cinema history.

Marin expressed how thrilled he was, stating that it’s a significant honor for him. He enjoyed working on both ‘Up in Smoke’ and ‘Spy Kids,’ and receiving this recognition for both movies fills him with pride and joy.

“Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan” (1982)

In the sequel of the “Star Trek” saga, the team aboard the USS Enterprise confronts Khan Noonien Singh, portrayed by Ricardo Montalbán. His goal is to restructure the galaxy. This movie is often praised as one of the finest in the series because of a standout performance from the Mexican actor, despite him only appearing for 18 minutes on screen.

Montalbán shared with his friend Gil Smith (now president of the Montalbán Co.) that despite being off-camera, it was his character’s actions that captivated the cast members.

Although Montalbán played an intergalactic villain, his real-life actions were much more heroic. Throughout his career, he appeared in more than 100 films, plays and TV shows, always pushing Hollywood to increase the visibility of Latinos with dignity. In 1970, he founded Nosotros to promote positive depictions of Latinos in the entertainment industry through media arts programs. The organization became a training ground for actors Olmos, Lupe Ontiveros, Salma Hayek and Eva Longoria, among others.

Joel M. Gonzales, president of Nosotros, pointed out that Ricardo’s significant achievements in cinema, television, and stage performances have frequently been underestimated. However, his work paved the way for numerous Latino actors to succeed,” was a natural and easy-to-read paraphrase of the original statement.

Under the guidance of Latino Public Broadcasting, Gonzales is creating the inaugural documentary about Montalbán.

Gonzales stated that the tale recounts an exceptional existence, serving as a testament that many of us benefit from his achievements.

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2024-12-20 00:32

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