By José Alberto Hermosillo,
It is Award Season, and many wonder why Latino actors are not nominated for the Oscars and Golden Globes.
Last year, the African-American community ignited a movement, #OscarsSoWhite.
They rightly argued the lack of people of color nominated in the acting categories for the past two years. The hashtag went viral within minutes after the nominations were announced.
Their campaign in social media brought the attention of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences to change its rules. They needed to bring in new members of minority groups and encouraged movie studios to cast more diversity in their productions.
This year, African-Americans are making sure they heard their voices by producing high-quality films competing for the awards: “Fences,” “Loving,” “Moonlight,” “Hidden Figures,” and “Kicks.” Also, the documentaries: “13th,” “I Am Not Your Negro,” and “O.J.: Made in America.”
It makes us think: is this year going to be #OscarsSoBlackAndWhite and nothing in between? What about Latinos, Asians, and Native Americans?
This extraordinary example set by brave Afro-American filmmakers must be followed by our Latino constituents to produce compelling films with universal themes worthy of Awards.
In 2016, Latinos had modest participation in the movies, but their excellent performances have been overlooked this Award Season.
Some schools, organizations, and film festivals began incubating new talent from minority groups. But it is taking way too long. Other foundations are helping with small grants to help finish their modest projects, but those are “baby steps” to reach the level of excellence needed to compete for Awards.
You don’t cure cancer with an aspirin.
In a more optimistic and inclusive world, influential A-list Latino directors (Del Toro, Cuarón, Iñárritu) should be bolder to seek, produce, direct, and mentor stories where Latino actors can play the leads.
Filmmaking is a collaborative effort. Mentoring is the key to success.
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| Actor Géza Röhrig and filmmaker Laszló Nemes. Photo by Jose A: Hermosillo. Copyrights, 2016 |
Last year, first-time filmmaker Laszló Nemes won the Oscar for Best Foreign Film for “Son of Saul.” He was mentored by the now-retired Hungarian director Béla Tarr (“The Turin Horse”). The experience of a legendary filmmaker elevated the film to a high level of accomplishment. And that is what the Academy is looking for, excellence.
Why can’t Latinos follow this formula?
Halle Berry (“Monster’s Ball”) and Charlize Theron (“Monster”) won their Oscars because they produced their own films. They boldly believed in their own projects, accepted the challenge, and went to win gold.
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| Copyrights Modern Salon, Oct .2001. |
The same thing happened when Salma Hayek produced “Frida.” She received an Oscar nomination because she worked hard to make a magnificent film and had the energy and courage to put things together. Also, she wanted to show the world her love for Mexico and its culture.
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| Juan de Dios Larrain, Gael Garcia and Pablo Larrain, The Neruda Team. Photo by Jose Hermosillo. Copyrights 2017 |
Chilean director Pablo Larrain and his brother, producer Juan De Dios Larrain, put together two great projects this year: “Neruda” with Gael Garcia Bernal and “Jackie” with Natalie Portman. Both were biopics and, in my opinion, were worthy of many awards.
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| Photo AFI FEST Copyrights, 2016. |
However, “Jackie” did get the attention of the Academy voters. Again, it is a Latino director making a film without a Latino cast.
We, the Latinos working in the movie industry, must compromise and make films worthy of a Golden Globe or an Oscar for Latino actors. We all have dreams, don’t we?
Many Latino movies are making big money at the box office.
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| Uruguayan Director Fede Alvarez, Photo Jose Hermosillo, Copyrights 2017 |
However, Uruguayan filmmaker Fede Alvarez had a number-one hit at the box office two weeks in a row with his thriller “Don’t Breathe.”
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| No Manches Frida, L.A. Premiere. Photo Jose Hermosillo Copyrights, 2016 |
The Mexican comedy “No Manches Frida,
” started and produced by actress Martha Higadera (“Street Kings,” “McFarland, U.S.A.”), was number 8 in the U.S.A. as one of the most successful Independent films of the year.
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| Hands of Stone. Copyrights W.T.C., 2016. |
The biopic of the Panamanian boxer Roberto Duran, directed by Venezuelan Jonathan Jakubowicz, “Hands of Stone,
” was a hit at the box office and is having a big success overseas.
Mexican actor Diego Luna booked (and kept his accent) for the lead in one of the all-time highest-grossing, money-making movies, “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.” Now, he will be Tony Montana in a new version of “Scarface.”
Recognizing the excellence of many talented Latino actors worldwide, whether from Hollywood, Spain, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Puerto Rico, or Chile,e is essential.
And the best Latino Performances in a film in 2016 are:
Aquarius
Brazil
Premiered in Cannes
(2016)
In “Aquarius,” Sonia Braga’s marvelous portrayal of Clara is unforgettable. She is a music critic, a mother, and a cancer survivor fighting for her ocean-view apartment and keeping her family together with a great sense of dignity and respect.
Diego Luna
(Mexico)
Rogue One:
A Star Wars Story
U.S.A.
(2016)
Diego Luna’s enormous screen presence is terrific as the rebel warrior Cassian Andor. He is making sure things happen in this spectacular Galaxy drama.
Edgar Ramírez
(Venezuela)
Panamá, U.S.A.
Premiered in Cannes
(2016).
Edgar Ramirez playing Duran is remarkable. He trained for nine months before getting into character to start the physical transformation that allowed him to get closer to what this real-world champion was.
Penélope Crúz
(Spain)
Ma ma
Spain, France
(2016)
Penélope Crúz is at her best in this emotional journey of a pregnant woman with breast cancer. The love and support of her family will play a significant role in this compelling and convincing contemporary story.
Salma Hayek
(Mexico)
U.S.A.
(2015)
“Septembers of Shiraz” is Salma Hayek’s best performance since “Frida.”
Gael García Bernal
(Mexico)
Special Mention to:
Luis Gnecco
(Chile)
Mercedes Morán
(Argentina)
Neruda
Chile
Premiered in Cannes
(2016)
“Neruda” is a cinematic work of art and poetry, full of temper and passion. This is the perfect antihero movie. Terrific cast.”
Emma Suarez
(Spain)
Adriana Ugarte
(Spain)
Julieta
Spain
(2016)
The haunting story of an obsessive woman and her daughter told thirty years apart. Adriana Ugarte is young Julieta, and Emma Suarez is mature Julieta. Both Spaniard actresses are just fantastic under the direction of Pedro Almodóvar.
Leia Costa
(Spain)
Victoria
Germany
(2015)
Spanish actress Leila Costa is terrific at playing Victoria. She will live one intense and unforgettable night in Berlin.
Lupita Nyong’o
(Mexico)
Queen of Katwe
The U.S.A.
(2016)
Kind and charismatic Mexican-born Oscar Winner actress Lupita Nyong’o is marvelous in this chess movie out of Uganda.
Desierto
Mexico
Closing Night Film, LAFF
(2016)
Gael Garcia Bernal is a natural playing this desperate young man who needs to cross the desert to reunite with his son. The drama of the immigrants will take global dimensions of today’s refugee crisis.
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