The bandido, the harlot, the male buffoon, the female clown, the Latin lover, and the dark lady—these have been the defining, and demeaning, images of Latinos in U.S. cinema for more than a century. In this book, Charles Ramírez Berg develops an innovative theory of stereotyping that accounts for the persistence of such images in U.S. popular culture. He also explores how Latino actors and filmmakers have actively subverted and resisted such stereotyping. In the first part of the book, Berg sets forth his theory of stereotyping, defines the classic stereotypes, and investigates how actors such as Raúl Julia, Rosie Pérez, José Ferrer, Lupe Vélez, and Gilbert Roland have subverted stereotypical roles. In the second part, he analyzes Hollywood's portrayal of Latinos in three genres: social problem films, John Ford westerns, and science fiction films. In the concluding section, Berg looks at Latino self-representation and anti-stereotyping in Mexican American border documentaries and in the feature films of Robert Rodríguez. He also presents an exclusive interview in which Rodríguez talks about his entire career, from Bedhead to Spy Kids, and comments on the role of a Latino filmmaker in Hollywood and how he tries to subvert the system.

Providing textual analysis of 12 feature films written and directed by filmmakers who explore aspects of the Chicano cultural movement, this book discusses films including Cheech and Chong's Still Smokin' (1983), El Norte (1985), and Break of Dawn (1988). The text analyzes the portrayal of Chicano, or Mexican American, identity in films by chicanos. Part historiography, part film analysis, part ethnography, this book offers a compelling story of how Chicanos challenge, subvert and create their own popular portrayals of Chicanismo. Historical stereotypical images in Hollywood films are discussed alongside contemporary images portrayed by Hollywood studios and independent Chicano filmmakers. The author examines the way in which newer films "construct new representations of Chicano culture" and present a greater variety of images of Chicanos for mainstream audiences. Originally published in 1996, this authoritative volume provides a full history of the Chicano cultural movement beginning in the 1960s as well as information on the development of Mexican American film production.

Renewed interest in Latin American film industries has opened a host of paths of scholarly exploration. Productions from different countries reflect particular social attitudes, political climates and self-conceptions, and must be considered separately and as a whole. The search for national identity is a key component of Latin American films in a time of decreasing cultural diversity and pressures to westernize. Globalization and falling government support have fueled cross-border collaborations, calling into question the idea of a movie's "nationality," and leaving some nations' film industries on the brink of collapse. Whether thriving or barely surviving, struggling to remain distinct or embracing globalization on its own terms, addressing the government or society, Latin American cinema remains vibrant, offering a wealth of material to scholars of all stripes. These collected essays explore important elements of Latin American cinema and its associated national film industries. The first section of essays examines the impact of modernization on both Latin American screen images and the industry itself, offering modern and historical perspectives. The second section focuses on filmmakers who deal with issues of gender and sexuality, whether sexual transgression, the role of female characters, or societal attitudes towards sex and nudity. The final section of essays discusses the relationship between national identity and Latin American film industries: how movies are used to create a sense of self; Uruguay's ongoing identity crisis; and Brazil's use of Hollywood's stereotypical depiction of the country to depict itself. Photographs and an annotated bibliography accompany each essay, and an index supplements the text.

As the number of Latinos in the United States has been growing, making them the largest ethnic minority at the beginning of the twenty-first century, their presence in film has been increasing as well. Some Hispanic actors, like Antonio Banderas, Jennifer Lopez or Salma Hayek, have even become major stars. And Latinos have gained importance not only as actors on screen, but also behind the scenes as directors, producers and screenwriters. Has this growing influence changed their representation in Hollywood film? After a brief historical overview of the dominant images of Hispanics in American film, the author focuses on movies made since the 1980s. She explores contemporary Latino images in Hollywood film and compares them to past images, while also looking for new representations. To what extent are traditional depictions like the Latin lover, the bandit, the spitfire or the gangster still continued today? Which new representations have the Latinos in the movie industry contributed to balance the often stereotypical images of major Hollywood productions? The book is intended for people in film, media or ethnic studies and for film fans interested in Latino actors and movies.

Seminar paper from the year 2003 in the subject American Studies - Literature, grade: 2 (B), University of Tubingen (English Seminar), course: HS Literature: Latino Images in U.S. Latino Film, 16 entries in the bibliography, language: English, abstract: I. Introduction In the following written analysis, I am going to deal with the topic "The film "Tortilla Soup" in context of Mexican Life in America and Type and Stereotype of Chicanos and Latinos in Film". In the main body, I am going to show II.1 Mexico with the points II.1.1 Mexican history, II.1.2 Mexican American Migration and II.1.3 Mexican Life in America. The next point will deal with the film "Tortilla Soup", II.2 About the film. I will divide this point into II.2.1 Plot, II.2.2 Major characters and actors and II.2.3 The picture of food in connection with family in "Tortilla Soup". After that, I will talk about II.3.1 Latinos and chicanos. This point will be divided into II.3.1 Type and Stereotype: Chicano Images in Film, II.3.2 What it means to be Latino in 2000 and II.3.4 Contemporary Latino films - the end of stereotypes?. The last point will be III. Conclusion. I think that the historical embedding of a film is extremely important to gain a better understanding of a film. I wanted to focus on Mexico first with its history, migration and the life of Mexicans in America. Then I wanted to talk about the film itself with the plot, main characters and the picture of food in connection with family in the film. And in the end, I wanted to deal with the topic of Chicano Images in Film, Latinos in the year 2000 and contemporary Latino films with a possible ending of stereotypes.