Before the 86th Annual Academy Awards on Sunday, March 2 --when Mexican 'Gravity' director Alfonso Cuarón's made history as the first Latino to win an Oscar for Best Director-- there was reportedly some criticism coming from Mexico, saying that fellow Mexicans aren't too pleased that Mexican talent leaves their homeland to thrive in the U.S.
Yet, Cuarón and others have gone about their talents in creative and non-stereotypical ways in the U.S. by showing other sides of themselves and not solely depicting story lines of violence or drug trafficking. But you you can't win 'em all!
With or without representation, you can't please everyone, despite the fact that there were three Mexicans nominated for directing, cinematography and acting,
According to Fox News Latino, many Mexicans see "Gravity as a non-Mexican movie made by a man swallowed by Hollywood long ago - not as a product of Mexico's own proud but struggling film industry."
"To say that 'Gravity' is a Mexican achievement is like saying that 'Rosemary's Baby' was a Polish one," said Mexican filmmaker Arturo Ripstein, referring to director Roman Polanski's masterpiece.
In Cuarón's defense, shortly after his victory, Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto tweeted: "Extraordinary work. Congratulations!" according to Reuters.
After Cuarón received the Oscar and headed backstage, he said "he hoped his win would help shine a light on the work of other Mexican film makers, and Mexican culture."
"I don't think there is enough attention paid to Mexican culture and what is happening in Mexico," he acknowledged.
Earlier this week, Ripstein publicly urged "moviegoers to defend Mexican films that portray the country's culture and realities, rather than feeling proud of those who succeed by leaving the country and working in another language."
Other talents who are in the creatively critical line of fire include: cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki, who was nominated for six Academy Awards, and won for Best Cinematography for Gravity, and has been criticized for his non-Mexican-themed movies. And 12 Years a Slave Best Supporting Actress, Lupita Nyong'o was born in Mexico City, but lived there less than a year and grew up in her native Kenya.
"But the Mexican soul-searching centers mainly on Cuarón, who made the lost-in-space odyssey that has been applauded as a sci-fi breakthrough because of its extraordinary special effects. Before that, he had directed many international films, including The Little Princess, Children of Men and Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban."
The criticism doesn't stop at the border, but also for crossing language barriers. The last Spanish-language film Cuarón directed was Y Tu Mama, Tambien, in 2001, which launched the Hollywood careers of Diego Luna and Gael Garcia Bernal, Fox News Latino adds.
Reportedly, several Mexican newspapers have claimed that Cuarón "alienated a professor at the prestigious National Autonomous University of Mexico for making an English-language film in college, and left shortly after without finishing."
"We have to be very proud that this is a man who came out of the Mexican education system with Mexican film professors. He is the son of Mexican cinema. But he has become universal," said Leon Krauze, a cultural commentator and news anchor for the Univision network.
Krauze also commented on what the powerful turn of events it would be if Cuarón was the first Mexican, but also the first Latin American director to win an Oscar for best director -- well and he did, and he changed the history of the Academy Awards.
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Lame attempt to be relevant through Alfonso's success, how petty
), turns eight this year.
The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences in cooperation with the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, today announced the Drama Performer Pre-Nominations for the 41st Annual Daytime Entertainment Emmy Awards.
