Chicano Images - Refiguring Ethnicity in Mainstream Film

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.

List of contents

1. Introduction: Contexts of Chicano Feature Filmmaking 2. Destabilizing Ethnic Stereotypes: The Early Comedies of Cheech Marin 3. Mythic Proportions: Creating Raza Heros in Zoot Suit and La Bamba 4. Border Discourse: Structuring Ethnicity in Four Chicano Films 5. Gender and Genre in Only Once in a Lifetime 6. Trans-Creative Strategies of Chicano Mainstream Cinema

About the author

Christine List

Product details

• Authors: Christine List, Christine (Chicago State University List, List Christine
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd.
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 21.01.2016
• EAN: 9781138970267
• ISBN: 978-1-138-97026-7
• No. of pages: 192
• Series: Routledge Library Editions: Cinema
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Art > Theatre, ballet; Social sciences, law, business > Social sciences (general); Ethnic Studies, History, Media Studies, Sociology, Cultural Studies, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Media Studies, LITERARY CRITICISM / Reference, Humanities, Regional Studies, Regional / International studies, PERFORMING ARTS / Film / General, PERFORMING ARTS / Film / Reference, Hispanic & Latino Studies