Class spotlights Latin culture in film industry
By Christine Rhee
Daily Forty-Niner
Starting next semester, a new class will
give Cal State Long Beach students the opportunity to learn all about their
favorite Latin American movie stars, filmmakers and directors.
Latin America Cinema, being offered at
CSULB for the first time in the spring, will be taught by Spanish professor
Herald Cannon.
"We will learn possible new dimensions
of Latino directors and their perspective of life," Cannon said.
The class, Spanish 490, will educate students
on the background of current long and short films, documentaries and talented
Latino filmmakers, Cannon said.
Cannon passionately stated that recognition
is needed for Latino directors who contribute to the filmmaking industry.
He said there have been many great films
by Latino directors that have gone unrecognized.
"In Hollywood, minority directors don't
exist," Cannon said.
"Latino actors get less than 2 percent
of exposure in televisions, movies and in theaters."
Cannon said he believes even though many
excellent foreign films are made, they are shown only in film festivals
and in small theaters, rarely in big theaters that will provide greater
opportunity for people to watch.
"The majority of the theater owners have
a preconceived idea that no one will see these films," Cannon said.
Cannon also said people of Latin American
descent "hunger" for history and culture that can be found in Spanish films.
"We as professors should take the initiative
to recognize those who deserve it," Cannon said.
"There are very few classes that offer
current movies by Latino filmmakers." |
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