Date of Award

6-2020

Document Type

Open Access

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts

Department

Modern Languages and Literatures

Second Department

Spanish and Hispanic Studies

First Advisor

William García, Ph.D.

Keywords

contemporary Mexican cinema, gender, Amores perros, Alejandro González Iñárritu, Y tu mamá también, Alfonso Cuarón, Las elegidas, David Pablos, Roma, cinemexicano

Abstract

This project explores the socio-cultural evolution of gender dynamics through the analysis of four contemporary Mexican films: Amores perros (2000) directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu, Y tu mamá también (2001) directed by Alfonso Cuarón, Las elegidas (2015) directed by David Pablos, and Roma (2018) also directed by Cuarón. These directors are part ofMexico’s cinematic “New Wave,” a modern resurgence of Mexican film that depicts a realistic side of the nation’s political, social, and economic issues. In the opening chapter, I analyzeAmores perros and Y tu mamá también, two earlier films of the “New Wave.” These movies areheavily focused on toxic masculinity, which reveals the underlying fragility of their male characters.

As the “New Wave” progresses, female protagonists are explored more in depth. In thelatter chapter, I discuss Las elegidas and Roma, two films that present us with women who have been abandoned by men. These women resort to forming alliances with other forsaken females inorder to overcome the desertion that was predominantly caused by the men’s toxic masculinityand chauvinist values. The directors of the “New Wave” challenge typical gender roles andpower dynamics, which is evident through their varying portrayals of males and females in these self-aware films. This new cinematic era began primarily centered around the exploration of the machismo of male characters, but has progressed to show sensitivity toward female protagonists. All of these movies offer nuanced insights into patriarchal dynamics in society, bringing about a better understanding of these dynamics, regardless of what gender is the central role in the narrative.

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