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.
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Lisa Lynam: Linda you are right that the culture being showen with the purchase of food on the side of the road and the people waiting for rides. It was a shame to have to transport body of aunt across the country. Adolfo thought it was more cost effective and needed to make a name for himself. That is interesting that the funeral parade was used to smuggle common goods across without no one knowing it. The best part was at the funeral where Gina and Mariano went off together in love.
ReplyDeleteThe blog that you posted had a lot of information that was very poignant. I did not realize what the trucker was doing spitting on his tires???? But you explained that portion of the film to me. I agree that the passion between Gina and her student was amazing, but what I really thought was wonderful was the love that had smoldered between Candido and Aunt Yoyito for fifty years. Now that is love. I was sad that their story ended tragically, and I hope that the body mix ups by Adolfo was not really what happened to the couple, but their story was true love, not the love of Gina, Adolfo or the love of Mariano and his gang of women.
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