As a Latina, I have always found myself inspired and excited to see stories that reflect our culture and own experiences. Getting to read that great book based on a true story is amazing, yet seeing Hollywood come up with movies based on true stories or inspired by those it’s even better. I find myself in immense pride and connection when I see those movies.
Here are the top 5 favorite Latina movies that not only have entertained me but have touched my heart in a lot of ways, as I can see that connection to our culture and our lives.
Like Water for Chocolate (Como Agua Para Chocolate)
This film is based on the novel by Laura Esquivel, and it is set during the Mexican Revolution. The movie takes you on an amazing journey of love, bravery, and the power of food. Tita, the main character in the story, shows her emotions through her passion for cooking, as she is forbidden to follow her love for Pedro by a family tradition. This film beautifully represents the interconnection of food, love, and family traditions in Latinx cultures.
Roma
The talented Alfonso Cuarón created this amazing film that truly pays tribute to the heroes in our lives: the domestic workers. Cleo, a young fearless woman navigates through the challenges that women had to embrace while serving a family in Mexico City and trying to live her own life. This brings back so many memories of the countless stories my grandmother told me about her times as a Nana. This film reminds us of the struggles, the battles, and the emotional dedication that our women face when they are domestic workers trying to make a living.
Selena
Selena Quntanilla, La Reina del TexMex. Who doesn’t love Selena!? This film captures, to the best of their knowledge, the rise of a Mexican-American young woman with big dreams to become a famous singer. This beautiful film not only portrays the humble beginnings of a family trying to aspire to reach the American Dream as Chicanos in the US but also the daily struggles and life of Latinx culture. This film gives us that impact and empowerment to never give up on reaching your dream and to always be proud of your culture and who you are.
Under the Same Moon (La Misma Luna)
This story is one of many stories that are being experienced daily. A young man sets himself on a tough journey to finally reunite with his mother, who is living illegally in the United States. As his mother is in search of a better life for him, this film shows that sometimes family is really what is needed for a better life. The demonstration of the harsh reality of what immigrants live in the United States, is very strong to watch, however, the love and compassion of motherhood is reflected in every scene of this movie.
Spanglish
This film, similar to Roma focuses on our domestic workers. The beauty of this film is that it also reflects the combination of a single mother, who is a Spanish speaker, and an immigrant trying to survive for a good future. This story hits home with my reminder of the struggles we lived through as my mom had to find ways to make a living while raising me. The fear of being here with a visa, little English, and not a full-time job in Juarez, caused many struggles. Flor, the character in this movie, embraces the struggles and doesn’t give up, this is how my mom was when she never said no to digging holes, painting buildings, or cleaning houses. This beautiful movie shows the strength a mother gains to survive in a place far from home.
These films have meant for me more than just entertainment, they have meant reflection, definition, and inspiration. Whether it may seem like just a movie plot for many, for us Latinx means our stories, the stories our mothers, cousins, or daughters have experienced. It gives us that sense of belonging and acknowledgment from society about our culture and our lives.
