Zoot Suit and Real Women Have Curves Among 2019 Inductees
By Justina Bonilla
Since 1988, the National Library of Congress’ National Film Registry has chosen 25 films a year to preserve for being “culturally, historically or aesthetically” significant. This list in the past has inducted iconic and groundbreaking films from To Kill a Mockingbird to The Godfather and Disney’s Snow White. The 2019 film inductions are more diverse than ever, with ten films directed and/or featuring ethnic talent, including five Latino/Hispanic talent.
Director/Writer Luis Valdez
Writer Josefina Lopez
Inducted this year, are two highly regarded films in Latino American and Chicano cinema, Zoot Suit and Real Women Have Curves. Zoot Suit is the second film written and directed by the Father of Chicano theater Luis Valdez. Real Women Have Curves is a modern classic by Chicana playwright Josefina Lopez, who created the story and co-wrote the screenplay. Both Real Women Have Curves and Zoot Suit began as plays, showing the significant influence of plays in Latino American film history.
Latino/Hispanic talent was also featured in other inducted films, namely Purple Rain (leading actress Apollonia Kotero), Boys Don’t Cry (actress Hillary Swank), and Platoon (actor Charlie Sheen).
Past inductees featuring significant Latino/Hispanic stories and/or talent include:
In 2018, the National Film Registry faced criticism, due to its lack of diversity in its list of 750 films. According to TIME Magazine Only 36 films were directed by people of color. Now, the National Film Registry is adding more films with ethnic talent behind and in front of the camera. Solidifying the importance and impact of ethnic talent and stories in American cinema. Contributions that have been overlooked for years, due to preferences for non-ethnic stories and limited and/or stereotypical ethnic roles.
Latino oriented films and significant films with Latino talent that should be evaluated for consideration by the National Film Registry for induction include:
Latino Oriented Films
Significant Films featuring Latino talent:
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