By: Emma Kulikowski
Introduction:
Caucasian men have predominately run the film industry for years. They have also taken the lead when it comes to their pay. They almost always have the same themes and symbols to cater to the white man. However, the world is constantly changing, meaning now is the time to change the focus of who and how these movies are being presented and how those of Latino decent are being payed. Gender, sexuality, ethnicity, and body types have presented caucasian; heterosexual male leads in the past. As for women, they almost always use the stereotypical model-looking actresses or those who fit in the so-called "beauty standard" However, as those stereotypes break, the time has come to make these films more relatable and inclusive to all nationalities, shapes, and sizes.
My Research:
Christine Gledhill wrote an amazing article on the topics of how gender and genre coincide within the entertainment industry. Her findings helped contribute to what makes a movie captivating and appealing to the audience. Since most films have always been presented to appeal towards white men, what symbols and themes would keep them interested but also towards other ethnicities and genders. Her largest finding in simplest terms is that it just has to be relatable. That the key is to have themes that anyone can connect with.
In the movie Real Women Have Curves, some of the major themes are independence, romance, body images, and financial struggles. Ana falls for a wealthy boy who went to high school with her. She tends to question why he likes her over the stereotypical popular, skinny girl. He reassures her after an intimate moment how just because she doesn't look like a model doesn't mean she isn't gorgeous. Adding this into the movie shows how masculinity coincides with feminism to create a moment many can find comfort in.
Another reading called "The Body Beautiful: Symbolism and Agency in the Social World explores the symbolics of the body. How one's body is symbolic of what culture that person is a part of. In the past, mechanisms and procedures like foot-binding were used to change one's body to fit that culture. Today plastic surgery and extensive exercise have replaced those from the past. As feminism has risen, it is not so much about how others view your body but how you view yourself. Focusing on Latina's and their culture, they are curvier. Nevertheless, being Latina in Los Angeles creates many insecurities when so many other cultures, shapes, and sizes. Furthermore, in the movie Carmen, Ana's mother, is very hypocritical and always points out her daughters' weight, but she is just reflecting her insecurities. The scene below beautifully presents the women realizing their worth and self-love.
Barbara B Reagan wrote an excellent article on why there are such differences in the number of women and their pay compared to men in the workforce. She explains how women were at a disadvantage from the beginning due to women's rights and not receiving the same education and opportunities as men. Even though women can now receive higher education and opportunities like men, it has to do with their mindsets. Women are more likely to choose a job and career that allows flexibility to raise their children and put them first. In contrast, men tend to take opportunities like moving away for a new job and disregarding families' opinions. As for Ana's case, she wants to go to college at Columbia University. Which is across the country from her family. The men in her life: Mr. Guzman, her father, and grandfather, are very supportive, while Carmen believes it will ruin their family. She is stuck in the mindset of women needing to support their families before pursuing their own goals.
The scene of Ana getting accepted into college and her family's response.
The statistic below shows the gender pay gap by ethnicity, showing that those of Hispanic or Latino descent are the lowest. Hence, in the movie, they make Ana's family those of the working class and have a lower income. They also explain why her family was so prominent on her going straight to work. However, as seen, financial aid and scholarships help make it possible to live out her dream. So, again, these are issues that many Americans can relate to when wanting to go to college.
The graph above shows the positive incline of different ethnicities going and being accepted into universities. This correlates to how more women of Latino descent are furthering their education and on track to having a more equal pay in the workforce. This relating to the end of the movie when Ana does move away to pursue her education.
Works Cited:
Reagan, Barbara B. “Two Supply Curves for Economists? Implications of Mobility and Career Attachment of Women.” The American Economic Review, vol. 65, no. 2, American Economic Association, 1975, pp. 100–07, http://www.jstor.org/stable/1818839.
Reischer, Erica, and Kathryn S. Koo. “The Body Beautiful: Symbolism and Agency in the Social World.” Annual Review of Anthropology, vol. 33, Annual Reviews, 2004, pp. 297–317, http://www.jstor.org/stable/25064855.
GLEDHILL, CHRISTINE. Gender Meets Genre in Postwar Cinemas. University of Illinois Press, 2012, http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.5406/j.ctt1x74qb.