Genre: Contemporary
Honors: Humanitas Prize, Imagen Award, Independent Spirit Awards,Youth Jury Award, Sundance Film Festival-Audience Award
Review: Ana, a first generation Mexican-American teenager, is conflicted between her personal goals and desires and the expectations placed on her by her family. Through her hard work and determination, and with help from a persistent teacher, Ana is offered a full-scholarship to a prestigious college in New York City. She wants to pursue her desires as a modern independent woman, but feels pressured to help her financially struggling family by doing low-paying jobs far below her potential abilities. Ana must decide how she will choose to live her life and must pursue her own happiness in the face of adversity.
Opinion: Ana is a strong and modern woman and she is a motivating role model for young adults. This movie challenges many norms and stereotypes and presents a whole new view of a "real woman". Ana proves that through hard work and sacrifice people can accomplish and pursue their dreams. She does not, however, do this without sacrifice and conflict, and she must make some very difficult and painful decisions. I think this realistic portrayal of a woman coming of age and making her own decisions despite her parents’ wishes is a real situation for many teenagers and they will find this movie an inspiration.
Ideas: Many teens, like Ana, often feel conflicted between their traditional culture and the American culture in which they were raised. This movie explores that topic and would be a great addition to a cultural awareness unit or lesson.
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