Wednesday, April 13, 2011
El Mariachi
There were many Mexican stereotypes in this film. For example, the ease in which the men killed one another, cold blooded, and ran through the street in broad day light with huge weapons, exaggerated the stereotype of the bandido-violent Mexican. The nice looking, soft spoken, loving man with the angelic voice exemplified the stereotype of the Mariachi. Other stereotypes that were identified in this film include the bandido insisting his beer be in a bottle as a sign of macho-ism. The free coconut and the willingness to rent with the promise of payment in the future is a sign of a relaxed, trusting, "hot climate" culture. The bandido-violence was strongly depicted in this film and it was related to illegal drug dealing. This is a very real dilemma in the Mexican society today. Therefore, this stereotype image of bandido-violent Mexican's is often associated with the Mexican culture. It was stated in the film, "All he wants is to be a Mariachi", a singer. This is because his father, grandfather, and great-grandfather were all Mariachi's. He therefore is expected to be one as well. He feels this is his purpose and destiny in life. Mariachi's are very special musicians who receive a great deal of respect and appreciation. The role of music was very important in this film. The importance of music in the Spanish culture is reflected in the unconditional bond Mariachi had with his guitar. He risked his life on several occasions throughout the movie in order to keep his guitar. This symbolized the cultures great love and respect for music.
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Your example of the cold blooded killing is a very good example of the exaggerated bandido-violence that I forgot to mention in my blog. I agree that the illegal drug cartel is a real problem in the mexican society that we do see here in America (not saying that America doesn't have its own major problems with drugs anyways). I also like how you commented that the willingness to rent with the promise of re-payment is a sign of the hot cultured climate. That would never happen around here. The trusting, relationship based aspect of the culture is truly remarkable. The mariachi did make many sacrifices to keep his guitar, including dodging bullets many times.
ReplyDeleteI was also impressed at the lengths the mariachi went to for his music. All he wanted was to carry on the culture and tradition of music that was in his family. He was even willing to risk death by going back for his guitar when he left it in the hotel, and by going after Azul when his guitar was accidentally taken from the bar. The culture sets a certain status or power of being a mariachi, as you see after he kills Moco and is just left to go on his way.
ReplyDeleteI too was impressed with how intent the mariachi was on keeping his guitar. He obviously was trying to carry on a family tradition, but he would have rather died than give up his guitar, which symbolized his family history and his destiny in life. I kept thinking "just forget about the guitar" and "quit putting your life in danger." I now understand that this symbolized the power of a mariachi in Mexican culture, and that being a mariachi is more than just a guitar, or a job playing music: it is a way of life and defines who you are.
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