El Viaje de Carol

El Viaje de Carol was interesting, because we did not have subtitles throughout the film, and had to rely on the actions and responses of the characters to understand the film. The film had romance, suspense, sadness, and drama. Carol is a twelve year old American girl, that has a tom-boy style. She has short hair, wears overalls and jeans. She doesn't dress up like the other girls, except for special occasions such as her birthday. Carol's father is in the military fighting the Spanish Civil War. Carol lives with her Mother, Aurora. Aurora took Carol to Spain for the first time, to visit Spain. Aurora's family, is unaware of her sickness and dies. Carol is left in care of her grandfather and aunt. Carol relies on her grandfather, Maruja, and the support from friends to deal with her mother's death. Carol is a strong mature girl for entering her teenage years. She is forced to deal with the loss of her mother and boyfriend, and is in a new country without her father. Carol is considered antisocial by the Spanish society. For example, the Catholic Church categorizes her as a Protestant.



Carol fights with learning the Spanish culture first by standing up against the boys that we picking on her. After Tomiche steals her hat, Carol kicks him to get it back. Tomiche and Carol become friends and quickly fall in love with eachother. Carol even kisses Tomiche first. She makes friends with this small group of kids. They influence her by having her try cigarrettes. She also rebells when she sneaks out of the house after being punished by her aunt. With the help of Maruja, Carol is able to send her father a letter to contact him. Robert responds by sending her a package on her birthday, with an airplane and letter. Robert is able to find Carol, and they are very happy to see eachother. The military men hurt Tomiche and he dies after being shot. The military captures Robert. Robert and Carol hope to one day be reunited. The film ends with Carol and her Grandfather in the car leaving, and she waves goodbye to the boys. Magic realism is in this part as she sees Tomiche wave goodbye for one last time.

Even though I didn't understand the language, I understood the film through the characters and found the film to be very moving.

Volver!

Volver, is an interesting film in regards to death and women. The film is a tribute to women, because they are portrayed strong and powerful. The women in this film stand up for themselves and their daughters by killing, compared to the other films we have seen. Paula killed her father after he attempts to rape her, and Raimunda disposes of his body to protect her daughter. Irene also protected her daughter by killing her husband and his mistress, because he was raping Raimunda. Irene then went in hiding to protect herself. The ability for these women to deal with the death of their husbands, to protect their daughters is very brave. Raimunda is a very strong character for she delt with sexual abuse her whole life, and raised her daughter with love. Even though her daughter to come to find out is also her sister, because she was raped by her father.

The first superstitious beliefs is the cleaning of the graves and keeping them well kept. It seemed normal in their culture. Also, that in their culture they believe the dead can return and don't think anything of it. Irene pretended to be her own ghost for years, and no one questioned her as she was spotted around town. Sole let her live with her and work at the beauty shop. In the end, Irene was able to repair her relationship with Raimunda and Irene made it up to Agustina by taking care of her.

Tara McFadden

Guantanamera!

Guantanamera!

Guantanamera was not my favorite film, but it was not horrible. I probably wouldn't watch it again. I find the Hispanic and Cuban culture in this film are vivid throughout, for example the cars, driving, food, and decorations inside the cars and houses. I also found it interesting how people hitchhike like it is nothing. In America, it's very dangerous and against the law. People in Hispanic culture, seem to hitchhike all the time and put their life in a stranger's hand.

I find it very degrading that the men hit the women all the time. The use of domestic violence is very common, and in the few movies we have seen the women eventually stand up for themselves, but in the real world do they really stand up against the men? The machoism that the male figures have is completely against what I believe. I don't think a man should tell a woman how to dress, act, and hit her. In America, women fought for their rights and society has come a long way compared to the early 1990's. I hope that Hispanic and Cuban culture make further advancements in women's rights.

This doesn't have to do with the Hispanic culture, but I would like to point out that Hispanic films have people die in the strangest ways. I think it is so werid that Candido died from seeing the man in the coffin and that Yoyita died when they finally were able to be together. It was the same for Like Water for Chocolate, with love causing death. I don't understand the point of it. Where are the happy endings? Why does someone always have to die for love?

Tara McFadden

THE OFFICIAL STORY!

The Official Story was a good movie, but I was very disappointed in the end. I wanted to find out what happened with Gaby and Alicia. Was Sara really Gaby's Grandmother or not? Would Alicia take Gaby and go live with her or leave Roberto and Gaby?

The movie began with this happy family living their dream. Alicia, a history teacher, had adopted a beautiful girl, Gaby, five years ago, and raised her as her own. It was only after Ana told Alicia her story of being kidnapped, and abused that Alicia began to question if Gaby was stolen from her parents. As Alicia attempts to uncover her daughter's mysterious past, that her husband keeps from her, she begins to question her whole life. Alicia just wants what is best and right for Gaby, even if that means losing her husband and daughter. The film ends with Alicia walking out the door from Roberto, leaving the audience to wonder what will happen to Gaby.

Alicia was hopeful in the fact that she could find out the answers to Gaby's past. Just like Alicia, Sara was hopeful, along with the other people trying to find their families, and putting a stop to the crimes. Roberto was hopeful that Alicia would never find out about his position in the government, and became hopeless after realizing there was nothing he could do to keep Alicia from wondering about his daughter's past and his envolvement in the government. I belive Ana was hopeful to get her life back to normal, and cope with her unfortunate past.

I was hoping for light at the end of the tunnel, but I don't think the film gave it. I think they just left you in your seat wondering what was going to happen next, like they would for a part two film, without the second part. Like I said I was disappointed, but I did enjoy the film very much.

Tara McFadden