The following is a guest blog post by Dani Thurber, Reference Librarian and Latino Studies Collection Specialist in the Hispanic Reading Room of the Latin American, Caribbean, and European Division, at the Library of Congress.
This Hispanic Heritage Month, we are thrilled to share the release of the Latinx Representation in Film Research Guide. This guide is part of the “Cine Latine: Shaping Latino Representation at the Movies” project implemented by Junior Fellows Mateo Arango, Karla Camacho and Madeline Griffin along with project mentor Dani Thurber, Reference Librarian and Latino Studies Collection Specialist in the Hispanic Reading Room. The team worked in collaboration with Library colleagues from the Moving Image Research Center and the National Film Preservation Board, as well as professors and scholars in the fields of Latino and Film Studies.
For the first phase of the project, the team developed the Latinx Representation in Film Research Guide, consisting of a brief history and overview essay of Latina/o representation in cinema; curated chronological and thematic filmographies, and created a compilation of resources for aspiring filmmakers such as professional networks, grants and fellowship opportunities, film festivals, and relevant digital publications. The guide pays homage to some of the great Latina/o films of our time in a section dedicated to the National Film Registry, as well as looking into forthcoming trends and themes in the cinematic arts such as Latinx Futurism. For researchers, the Guide highlights scholarly articles, books, magazines, and documentaries that delve into the rich histories of Latina/o representation in the film industry both in front of and behind the camera.
Most significantly, the Guide features a filmography of Latinas/os in the film canon, nearly 1,500 films dating from the onset of moving images to the present day. Junior Fellows Karla, Madeline and Mateo accomplished this impressive task by searching through the Library’s vast moving image collections, speaking with experts and professionals in the field, conducting extensive research, and even enlisting the help of the public to identify films featuring Latinas/os as well as Latina/o-created films. The result is a filmography organized alphabetically and chronologically for ease of browsing and access by users. The Junior Fellows also curated special lists of films such as the Thematic Filmography, which highlights various themes and perspectives found within Latina/o cinema.
In addition to the Research Guide, the Junior Fellows also developed the Cine Latine Interview Series with emerging and established Latina/o filmmakers. The team initiated relationships with filmmakers and their representatives, conducted in-depth research into the filmmakers’ careers and projects, and drafted interview questions. These efforts culminated in a series of six virtual interviews with Aitch Alberto, Patricia Cardoso, Alexis C. Garcia, Gregory Nava, Alex Rivera and Alejandra Vasquez.
Junior Fellow Mateo Arango shared the following about his experience working on the Cine Latine project: “The Junior Fellows Cine Latine project allowed me to delve deep into the history and evolution of Latinx cinema. This involved researching academic literature on Latinx films, speaking with professors and experts in the industry, and participating in the Cine Latine Interview Series. The interview series was an opportunity to hear directly from Latina/o filmmakers and gain greater insight into the individuals that are actively shaping Latino representation in film today. The extensive filmography and research guide will allow for increased accessibility to underrepresented Latino narratives and perspectives. Understanding these histories is quintessential to a more inclusive American story. It also allows us to better understand our own positionality as Latinos living in the United States.”
We hope you check out and enjoy the Latinx Representation in Film Research Guide!
For more information related to this blog or any Library of Congress holdings, please see Ask a Librarian, and if you plan to come in to view or listen to any collection items, please reach out to our reference staff in the Moving Image Research Center and the Recorded Sound Research Center.