A new different type of animation is being produced; different I say because it isn’t your typical family, kid friendly animated movie. No, this one seems to be a bit…dark. I discovered A Child Lost Within the Night when I was browsing the #HappyTexasDay hashtag. At least, I think it was the Happy Texas Day; it had the word Texas in it. Nonetheless, I figured it could have been a new Texas production due to giving a shout out to Texas, although I’m not so clear on that, but if it is, then I want to go ahead and cover it.
A Child Lost Within the Night is a story about a child that comes from a dysfunctional family. As a result of the abuse the child goes through, the child’s imagination gets the best of him. The animated movie touches on themes such as drug abuse, alcoholism, and of course, child abuse. The movie started on production early this week but I’m unsure of when production will finish, or when/if it will get distributed. Either way, if it is a Texas independent production or even if it isn’t, I hope it does well and I’m looking forward to hearing more about it. It’s a step in a different direction in regards to animation!
Black women have come a long way in Hollywood! A few months back, I talked about how black men were doing really well in the entertainment industry. I mentioned they were getting lead roles, and blockbuster hits while black women were still stuck doing predictable roles about being “black” or typical, stereotypical, and historical roles like Hidden Figures. That me and many other people wanted to see black women do more than just…be “black”. Well things seem to be changing thanks to the release and success of Black Panther. With a budget of 200 million, the movie has as of now grossed about 545 million in the box office. The movie is doing extremely well in Asian countries such as South Korea and Thailand. But the thing that most people are talking about(besides for the many scars on Killmonger’s body), but the numerous and positive roles of black women in the movie.
For the past decades after the 1970’s, black women have been portrayed in the media as ghetto, loud, and obnoxious individuals. Although I didn’t see the movie of Black Panther, I have read numerous reviews and comments about the movie. Yes, the movie isn’t anything special compared to other Marvel and DC movies yet it is at the same time. The story is nothing new, but it’s the characters and their development that sets this story apart. This movie does what Luke Cage wasn’t able to do on Netflix. This movie does what Blade featuring Wesley Snipes wasn’t able to do. More than likely it does have to do with the fact Trump is in office, and many African Americans feel that racial tensions and relations are sour more than ever. Plus the Black Lives Matter movement, and the taking down the statues, have all made an impact that shows in this movie. Needless to say, we can definitely see more good things to come especially since Spike Lee is setting up new projects with Jordan Peele. There’s A Winkle in Time with Oprah. Even up and coming creator of Underground, Misha Green, is working on a collaboration project with Jordan Peele with a supernatural twist.
Latin Americans are feeling excluded! I recently just got finished reading a blog post in which I wanted to put in my two cents. The post was about African Americans rising up and that Latin Americans need to do the same, and why haven’t they. Now, I’m mixed with Latin and I can tell you why.
There is more exclusion in the Latin American community more so than the black community, and the Asian community. The blog post points out numerous Latin Americans who work in Hollywood although the author leaves a lot of Latin Americans out as well. The author doesn’t pay attention to Latin Americans who don’t have fair skin with the exception of Zoe Saldana; she also failed to include Disney’s Coco. Coco was made with a budget of about 200 million and gained more than 700 million in the box office. It even beat out Moana which made about 640 million in the box office. Let’s not forget Puss in Boots; I could go on and on about the numerous Latin American projects that have come out in theatres and on TV like Devious Maids and One Day At A Time on Netflix. Remember the George Lopez show and Tiana? I also find it interesting the author is pointing out Black Panther is for African Americans but didn’t point out Miles Morales of Spider-Man, a boy who is mixed with black and Latin. There is literally a whole list of Latin American super heros that this author fails to mention, and fails to ask why prominent Latin American creator/producer/director/writers in Hollywood aren’t trying to pitch these ideas.
“The reason why the Latin American community can’t come together is because they don’t all identify as Latin American. Some of them live their lives as “white” people; in fact, many Latins who are in fact the skin color white has had more opportunities in the film industry than even black people ranging all the way back to the 1930s. There have been numerous Latin stories told in the main stream media all the way from Pan’s Labyrinth to Spy Kids, to Columbiana to Desperado…”. I comment. I go on to say:
“Colorism is rampant in the Latin American community. When you watch Latin shows on Mun2 or Univision, every one is “white”. In Hollywood, it’s no different. Most of the Latin Americans are white. The reason why it’s hard to hear Latin voices in Hollywood is because most people who are Latin American would rather live a “white passing” life in the industry than call themselves a person of color. Latin Americans who actually have color to their skin are the ones being ignored; the ones who don’t pass for white.” I then say:
“I also want to say there are tons of Latin Americans in the industry who are Latin but don’t have a Latin last name. I find it interesting that you’re ignoring their voices. You’re excluding the ones who are multi-racial, and multi-ethnic. Jada Picket Smith is mixed with two types of Latin. Cameron Diaz has Latin in her. And there are even more! But see that’s what I’m talking about; the Latin community picks and choose who they want in their community. Latin people don’t have a set physical appearance like African Americans and Asian Americans; as a result, Latin Americans don’t accept all as Latin Americans regardless of their ethnic/racial background; if some speak Spanish or some don’t speak Spanish. That’s the problem; there’s exclusion in an already excluded community.”
That Lesbian In Texas 