5 Films you need to watch during Hispanic Heritage Month
Written by Natalie Resendez
Hispanic Heritage Month officially started on Sep. 15 and ends on Oct. 15, but staying educated and celebrating Hispanic culture and innovation should happen all year long.
Watching movies has always proved to be a fun way to learn and educate yourself on new cultures, so as this celebration winds to an end, we thought why not feature some films to keep you educated on the cultural importance and significance of this celebration.
Here are five films we think are a great starting point for learning more about Hispanic Heritage Month.
“Roma” (2018)
This black-and-white drama film tells the story of Cleo, played by Yalitza Paraceo, who serves as a maid to a wealthy family in Mexico City during the 1970s. Besides having to look after the family’s needs, Cleo also deals with a handful of personal and political issues throughout the film. This masterpiece directed by Alfonso Cuarón won three Oscars as well as an award for Best Director.
“Coco” (2017)
If you haven’t seen this film yet, don’t waste any more time waiting. The Disney Pixar movie reveals the story of a 12-year-old boy, Miguel, who accidentally travels to the Land of the Dead. The film is heavily inspired by Día de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) which is a Mexican holiday used to celebrate the passing of loved ones. This heartwarming movie won Best Motion Picture at the 2018 Golden Globes as well as two Oscars.
“In the Heights” (2021)
This one is for all my musical and “Hamilton” lovers. Based on the stage musical by Lin-Manuel Miranda and Quiara Alegría Hudes, this film captures the dreams and aspirations of a community living in Washington Heights in Upper Manhattan, New York City. The characters sing through their hardships as people of color and relay many relatable stories to their viewers. And if you aren’t convinced to watch this yet, Jon M. Chu, the director, also directed “Crazy Rich Asians,” another amazing film.
“Freedom Writers” (2007)
This heart-warming drama reveals how a young teacher inspires her at-risk high school students to strive for more in life and pursue higher education. The film is based on the 1999 book “The Freedom Writers Diaries” written by Erin Gruwell.
“Selena” (1997)
If you’re not watching the Tejano music star during Heritage Hispanic Month, then you’re not doing it right. Starring Jennifer Lopez, this classic film tells the story of Selena Quintanilla-Pérez, the Latina icon who rose to stardom singing her heart out. Don’t forget to have some tissues on hand for the ending.
While there are countless films we could have featured to educate on Hispanic culture and heritage, we hope you enjoy these five films as a starting point. So as the fall weather slowly comes to life these next few weeks, grab some popcorn and your favorite blanket to watch one of these iconic movies.
Header via Rodnae Productions / Pexels
