In 2011, Gerardo Naranjo filmed the original “Miss Bala” trying to show the dangers of the drug cartel who, at the time, was on the rise.
At the time more than 15,000 people were killed due to Mexico’s drug wars in which at least seven different cartels are fighting each other and federal forces. Since then in 2018 Mexico set a record by more than doubling to 33,000 homicides.
Miss Bala in Spanish translates to Miss Bullet. This 2019 remake really shows today’s issues we have as a society with Mexico.
Richard Montesdeoca, a junior business management major and Spanish minor, said, “Our nation is divided. One side seeing the positives that the people of Mexico bring to our country and the other side being to thick headed to see that a group of people does not define a country.”
Diversity was extremely important in this movie. Director Catherine Hardwicke recruited a cast and crew made up of 95 percent Mexican and Latin American. Actors included, Gina Rodriquez, Ismael Cruz Cordova and Cristina Rodlo.
Without diversity in today’s entertainment industry, we wouldn’t have an industry to entertain.
With today’s political views on Mexico, it was important for “Miss Bala” to show that there is a difference between the good and bad people of Mexico.
Angelie Traviza – Traverzo, an early childhood education major, said, “Without cultures and diversity, like Mexico’s, we would have things that we listen, watch and use every day taken away from us.”
Gina Rodriquez plays the main character, Gloria. Gloria is an innocent (US citizen) make up artist, living in Los Angeles who decides to return to her hometown in Tijuana, Mexico.
Gloria gets into trouble when she loses her friend. She then meets a cartel kingpin, played by Ismael Cruz Cordova, who promises to find her friend in return for a special job.
The movie turns an innocent victim into what many people in America look at Mexican’s today, a criminal.
Katelyn Gilinger, a junior business management major said, “Americas problem right now is we have million following others with the mindset that all Mexicans are criminals.”
The movie is filled with a bunch of cliches that although seem fake show what many people in Mexico, unfortunately, go through.
Hardwicke finds a way to take Gloria’s forced heroism yet show her weakness as a survivor of the situation.
We as Americans need to change our views on Mexico and embrace the culture, diversity, and innovation that comes with its people.
