Linda's blog on Y Tu Mama Tambien

This was by far the most ridiculous film to view for a cultural diversity class. It afforded me a deja vous moment 36 years ago when I seen my first X rated film. My thoughts, "what is the plot?"

I get that they all had a lack of maternal nurturing which may have related to their insatiable need for sex, but, that is not unique to the Spanish culture. So the point of the film? I appreciate the fact that international films do display a Moe openness to sexuality but please. To show a film like this in a public school, have we lowered our standards that much since I attended college 36 years ago? I am appalled and shamed that such a film like this is shown. If indeed you feel the need to exploit this behavior, at least have the decency to allow us of a more mature demeanor opt out of the viewing.

You ask us to look past the sex scenes for the story. What is the story? Is it a lack of trust for relationships? We are promised monogamy but are you suggesting it never exists? Young people can be destroyed by a sexual relationship once they realize it isn't forever. And Lucia, knowing her husband was unfaithful, why did she stay in the relationship? Money or a feeling of obligation because he had been there for her from the beginning? Regardless, one had to search very deep , past the filth to find anything in this disgusting film.

What a bad ending to a fairly good class.

Linda's Blog about Carol's Journey

This was an interesting way to view a film. I found myself "feeling" the film, then understanding what was happening.

Carol's most distinct feature of her American culture was her lack of conformity to the Spanish ways. Her dress was very much a "Tomboy" and dismissed the feminine feature. Her Dutchboy cut, overalls and hats was a stark contrast to the frills of the native culture. She did dress for church but chose a marine dress for her First Communion, as opposed to the traditional white frock and veil. This was also a way to honor her beloved father.

The dislike of America certainly played a part in her inability to embarrass this new culture. She often preferred to read and stay to herself. Trips to the cemetery were met with boredom, but, remained quietly respectful.

Her rays of sunshine shone in her devotion to her grandfather. He appreciated her strong will and did little to stifle this behavior. She struggled to be happy when she was sent to live with her "aunt" and "uncle". Carol enjoyed playing with the young girl but defied the curfew to return on time and was met with disgust. Her peace was in the arms of grandfather.

The young boy who started out as a thief became her equal when she scuffled to regained her hat from him. She identified with his underdog position in life and together they fought the establishment, especially when they found a way to smuggle letters out to her father.

Carol indeed had to experience alot at a tender age. First, being separated form her father because of the revolution and then being transplanted into her mother's world in Spain. Discovering her dead mother and witnessing the loss of her dear friend as he provided an escape for her father. Her stability certainly should have been shaken but it seemed to just make her stronger. I was glad to she was finally united with her dad and returned to America.

Volver Blog by Linda Murray

Volver is a film that is a tribute to women and their resilience in the face of life's most outrages tribulations because they continue to re-establish themselves. Raimunda was sexually abused by her father but managed to repress this ugliness and raise an emotionally sound and happy daughter/half sister. She was able to look at her daughter without anger even though she was the result of her father's rape. Then to view her mother with such love after confronting her concerning the time of the rape. Her ability to forgive gave her the strength and hope to move on.

The night Paula killed her father for attempting to rape her, Raimunda reassured her everything would be fine, she should forget and not think of it again. They were resourceful in hiding the body and eventually burying the body near the river. It was touching at the end of the film when Raimunda and her daughter reflected on the idea of how Paco loved the river; they had great pleasure and peace in knowing his final resting place was on the shore of the river. their energy didn't stop there. Knowing their financial situation would change, they began catering in the restaurant next store to their house.

The two points of tension I noted between superstitious beliefs and real life was the East winds and the return of the dead. The winds made people crazy when it blew and they were quick to state this as the source for less than normal behavior. The return of the dead, as uncomfortable as the living were to recognize this superstition, they welcomed the idea and were curious to know the unfinished business. Aunt Paula's great care was related to the fact that Raimunda's mother had returned to see to things since she had raised her daughter during those tough times. If I had not have known what Volver meant I would not have made the connection to the superstition.

Justice was sered when the fathers both met their demise; one dying by fire and the other with a knife wound.

Linda's Guantanemera Blog

First and foremost I have to say what a shame it was to have to transport that poor Aunt across the country. Political influence and money was the issue. It was the law to be buried in the same area you were born in even if you hadn't lived there for most of your life. How Adolpho figured this move to be cost effective is beyond me.

The Hispanic traditions was fully appreciated in this film. The strong family ties and the fostering in of close friends treated as family, as was the case of the lost love of the Aunt. Food and family are once again bound together. Even in the canteenas the clients were treated as family. They were made to feel welcome and provided with good customer service.

The Macho image was portrayed again with the wife being put down, abused and treated like a second class citizen. I applauded her when she made the decision to go against his wishes and pursue her own. She did look good int that flowered,colorful dress and had a great mind to use for the good of her people. I'm encouraged to know this aspect of the culture is fading. Women by nature, if allowed to express themselves, may very well be the instruments to unite this country after such devastating turmoil.

The Cuban/Caribbean culture was identified in multiple ways. Food and the black market items of bananas and coffee. I enjoyed the scene where the bananas were hidden by the funeral flowers. As ridiculous as it was to transport the bodies around, the people did use it to their benefit by smuggling needed commodities from place to place. The stone and plaster homes of the area was seen many times throughout their travels. The truckers using witchcraft to prepare their vehicle before they departed. Witchcraft is an acceptable form of worship in many areas of the Caribbean. Also noted are the above ground crypts for cemeteries. The native people of the area take great pride in preserving these places for their loved ones.

As sad as it was for the aunt to pass after finding her only love again, it was rewarding to see Mariano and the Professor to re-kindle passion for one another.

Linda's the Official Blog

This indeed was a powerful film concerning the revolution. The despair which comes with a military regime was more poignant than previous films probably because of the close interaction of mother and child. You truly felt the fear/hopelessness in Alicia's ever changing questions in her quest to find out about Gaby's first days.

In the beginning of the film Alicia was very stoic about her teaching of history. She very firmly states, "study history and you learn about the world". For some reason that phrase stuck with me. But as she became more informed about her changing world she was filled with more questions and hopelessness.

Her hope was a world filled with the love of a child she thought she would never know given her barren condition. She had a loving husband who provided her with a life of privilege. She was able to balance family lift , teaching and "girl time".

As the military influence began to touch more aspects of her hope, more questions arose. First it was her students challenging her beliefs, then her best friend Ana purging herself of her experience with the military coup. It was as if blinders were slowly removed from Alicia's eyes as she sought answers concerning Gaby's arrival. She felt and seen the pain of the family members of those missing. Then she allows her personnel pain of her abandonment come to light.

History repeated itself when Alicia placed Gaby at the home of her grandparents. Her husband, unmoved by the thought of their absent daughter, refused to fill in the blanks of her questions. She leaves.

It's difficult to believe Alicia abandoned her child knowing how her painful childhood robbed her of a mother's bond. I suppose she couldn't accept how Gaby came to her so it was easier for her to leave and let her husband raise her. What a strong way to refuse her husband's way of giving her a child.

The wounds of war are truly deeper than those seen on the surface.

Linda's Magical Realism in Like Water for Chocolate

The article on magical realism was very interesting. To think it began in Latin America to express the American mentality and then went on to be an independent style. This film certainly represents this literary mode. The explanation of themes was most curious to me. There are multiple examples of this in the film. The idea of soldiers as an authority figure was noted in the scene where they attacked Tita's home and brutally assaulted the kitchen helper.

The cyclic aspect of time destined to repeat itself was expressed through the constant desire for Pedro and Tita to be together. They dreamed of life joined as one but the reality of it never happened. It was as if a better life was not to be attained.

The concept of carnival, celebrating the body, senses and relationships was heavily portrayed in this film. Food was a major focus. The affects of the special chilies on the body and soul was both humorous and very poignant in showing magical realism. Everyone became passionate and out of control with their emotions as they enjoyed the family recipe. Most striking was her sister escaping with the Mexican soldier in a terror of love.

I really liked the onion theme being repeated. Tita started out in the kitchen chopping onions and the niece ended the film with onions. What was not able to happen for Tita; a life of love without the constraint of caring for her mother till death, did occur for her cherished niece.

Food and the psychological reaction was repeated during the cake baking scene. Tita was heartbroken that her older sister was going to marry her boyfriend because tradition dictated this order and she was to care for mother. She dutifully agreed to prepare the wedding banquet but while making the cake batter she cried profusely. So, as the wedding guests ate the cake they began to cry uncontrollably.

The traditions and wise tales of the culture were stated and brought forth. In the end the matches she consumed ignited the inner sole of Tita; and, the explosion of the divine nature joined she and Pedro into eternal bliss. His dying, then her joining him, was like that of Romeo and Juliet.

Fascinating film, humorous and informative of the Latino culture.

Linda Murray's Blog-Motorcycle Diaries

There were multiple scenes in the film that shaped his personality to be a future leader. His travels transformed him from an idealist to a man with a purpose. Ernesto observed from a distance as the men were picked to work the mines. As he studied their faces and demeanor he note they were thirsty. He kindly requested to the guards they receive water; but, the request fell on defiant ears. In retaliation he began to throw rocks at those in authority.

He walked with a Peruvian farmer and came to realize their farms were taken over once they began to produce. This left the farmer without a means of supporting their families, while the government got fat on the profits.

Then his final experience at the leprosy colony noting the vast separation of the sick from the healthy people. His knowledge base was such that he knew the lepers were of no threat, but still alienated.

He himself felt injustice when he was not served food at the colony because he did not attend mass. He expressed his opposition to the Mother Superior, but with no change in the outcome. What happened next was people began bringing him food. They were responding to him recognizing the lack of fairness to this rule. This incident was the beginning of him being a man for the people.

All these compounding occurrences set him up for his farewell speech in Peru when he stated his purpose, to end the division in his America. His travels had helped end his restlessness and defined his purpose from then on.

This by far was the best movie presented to us in this class. It had purpose and passion, a well spent two hours.