Some of the recurring themes that we encountered when compiling our list of Latinx films were the themes of Finding Home and the Borderlands. Finding Home is a broad topic that can encompass the complexity of migration and navigating life as a Latinx in the United States. "Finding Home" can very much be in the literal sense by moving to another country, however, it can also describe a feeling of not belonging here or there. These stories and narratives provide a glimpse into the lived experiences and nuances of navigating cultural and physical barriers in the search for home. This also ties into our theme of the Borderlands and the vast array of stories that detail the complexity of navigating the physical border in the Southern United States. Surrounding communities have utilized cultural production like film to provide insight into how political borders have both divided and unified people. This unique geographical space contains powerful narratives that can relate to the Latinx immigrant experience all across the nation.

Selection of Borderland Themed Films

Latinx Biopics and Histories are crucial when considering Latinx representation in film. Narratives focused on a particular historical period or personality provide insight into how Latinx leaders and histories continue to be remembered through the medium of film. “La Bamba” (1987) and “Selena” (1997) highlight the cultural impact of Latinx music and its influence across the United States. These films provide a unique glimpse into the lives of renowned Latinx musicians and how their cultural legacy continues to live on today. The biopics of Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerto share powerful and compelling perspectives from the Chicano Civil Rights Movement and their importance to American history. The “History” section of this thematic filmography is focused on films that are inspired by historical events or of particular historical significance to Latinx cinema. “Walkout” (2006) directed by Edward James Olmos is based on the East Los Angeles student walkouts of 1968. These crucial moments in Latinx history are preserved and documented in Latinx cinema. A film like “West Side Story” (1961) contains immense cultural significance due to its depiction of social issues centering on Latinx characters and stories.

Selection of Latinx Biopic Films

The Family section of the thematic filmography contains films that explore Latinx family dynamics and are primarily intended for younger audiences. A film like "Coco" (2017) provides a glimpse into the familial cultural practices associated with life and death in Mexican and Mexican-American communities. "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse" (2018) is an animated superhero film where the main protagonist is an Afro-Latino teenager from New York City. The usage of Spanglish in this film and the ability for Latinx children to see themselves as a superhero highlights the importance of this type of representation in Latinx cinema. A film like "Father of the Bride" (2022 interrogates familial and cultural dynamics amongst a Cuban-American family as they prepare for a wedding. These depictions of the family and Latino protagonists on screen allow Latinx audiences to see their own family and cultural heritage reflected. This representation is particularly crucial to younger Latinx audiences as there has been a shift toward more inclusivity in children’s films in recent years. The theme of Identity explores a variety of different aspects of Latinx culture and the dynamics of identity formation within the United States. The film "Daughter of the Sea" (2022) is about a young Puerto Rican woman experiencing a spiritual awakening that draws her closer to her African and Indigenous roots on the island. This coming-of-age film utilizes Afro-futurism to tell a story about identity and the importance of connecting to ancestral traditions. "Mosquita y Mari" (2012) is a coming-of-age story about two Mexican-American women navigating their identity and sexuality. These films provide a nuanced perspective into the Latino lived experience and go beyond the mere representation of Latina/s/x(s) on screen. They share insightful stories about navigating identity formation as a Latina/o/x in the United States.

Selection of Family Themed Films