I remember when I was growing up that Sept/Oct was Hispanic Heritage Month. February (the shortest month - hmmm what's up with that) was Black history and always featured specials on TV about black heritage. March was Woman History and did the same with women history and issues. Likewise, the beginning of fall was time to learn and focus on Latino culture. Growing up in a vibrant Hispanic neighborhood might have peaked my interest in Latin culture and started my lifelong love of Latin inspired cultures. So with that in that in mind, I was so pleased to watch another installment of one of my favorite HBO documentary series... The Latino List. This documentary is the latest project of Timothy Greenfield-Sanders who gave us the Black List Vol 1-3 (if you haven't seen check it out netflix and youtube), and the tastefully produced Thinking XXX (a portrait of stars of adult films that was also featured on HBO).
Like his previous works, Greenfield feature profiles of several prominent Latinos as they discuss various topics from a Latino perspective. They explore everything from the meaning of being Latino in the 21st century to lessons learned growing up Latino in America. The people come from different professions and backgrounds but all have insightful tidbits of wisdom on their lives as Latinos.
What I like the most about this documentary it gives many a glimpse of the life's, struggles, and hopes of people. We see the similarities that we all share and some subtle differences that make us interesting and better Americans. There are teachers, writers, actors, politicians and yes... even an astronaut. But most of all this documentary is meant to inspire all of us, but especially young people to see people who look like them that have succeeded in some aspect of life. Maybe the Latino List II may feature our first Latino president... its just a matter of time.
People featured:
Gloria Estefen
Emilio Estefen
America Ferrera
Sandra Cisneros
Jose Moreno Hernandez
Consuelo Castillo Kickbusch
John Leguizamo
Eva Longoria
Robert Menendez
Armando Christian Perez
Juan Antonio "Chi-Chi" Rodriquez
Anthony D. Romero
Eddie "Piolin" Sotelo
Justice Sonia Sotomayor
Julie Stav
Dr Marta Moreno Vega
If you like Latino List you should check out the exhibit at Brooklyn Museum of Art that features 25 large photographs of the accomplished Latino people featured in the film until December 11th 2011. There is also an IPhone app that has stories of people on the street (in Spanish) speaking about people that inspire them.
Most impressive interviews
America Ferrera
Justice Sonia Sotomayor
S.F. Guru
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