Las Películas

It is no secret that Spanish language films have been celebrated and acclaimed in their native countries, but also have found their place in American cinema. From passionate tales of love and loss to the depictions of hardship, Latin cinema has carried weight no matter the setting. We’ve chosen our favorites and hope you get a chance to embrace these characters as well.

Like Water for Chocolate (Como Agua para Chocolate)

Based on the novel by Mexican author Laura Esquivel, published in 1989. It blends magical realism, romance, and Mexican culinary traditions. The story is set during the Mexican Revolution and follows the life of Tita De La Garza, the youngest daughter in a traditional Mexican family. According to family custom, Tita is forbidden to marry and must care for her mother, Mama Elena, until her death. Despite this, Tita falls deeply in love with a young man named Pedro.

Real Women Have Curves (Las Mujeres Verdaderas Tienen Curvas)

Although this one is mostly in English, the struggle for identity is real. Discovering America Ferrera’s raw acting power is relatable to every first generation Latina. This is a coming-of-age story by Josefina López, which centers around a first-generation, Mexican-American, Ana García, an ambitious and intelligent young woman growing up in East Los Angeles.

Pan’s Labyrinth (El Laberinto del Fauno)

Beautifully dark fantasy film directed by Guillermo del Toro. The story is set in post-Civil War Spain in 1944, blending historical drama with magical realism and elements of fairy tales. This movie is one of del Toro’s finest!

Wild Tales (Relatos Salvajes)

Cool and funny, Argentinian filmmaker, Damián Szifron, creates six stories in an anthology of characters displaying their truest and sometimes violent personas. Revenge and rage never looked so fun.

Roma

Gorgeous cinematography encapsulates this tale from Mexico City in the 1970s by filmmaker Alfonso Cuarón. The story of a pregnant domestic worker that lives and cares for a middle-class white couple and their four children as the family falls apart. An absolute treasure capturing the time and family life during that time.

Maria Full of Grace (Maria, LLena Eres de Gracia)

Written and directed by Joshua Marston, Maria Full of Grace follows Colombian teen, Maria Álvarez who finds herself pregnant and having to care for a large family. This film captures the desperation and dangerous options that face a lot of young Latinos when they are victims of circumstance.