This paper discusses the film Bordertown (2006), directed by Gregory Nava, in relation to the negative portrayal of Latinos/as. Moreover, it takes into account the adherence of the typical mainstream culture industry pattern while having a political agenda. For the analysis of this movie, I will show that this film is a result of Jennifer Lopez’s attempt to increase her popularity among the Latino community, both in the United States as well as in Mexico. To close, I will apply the concepts discussed in class.
Bordertown is a product of the mainstream culture industry that employs a negative representation of Mexico and its people as a result of capitalism. Lauren Adrian’s character is designed to make Jennifer Lopez more appealing to the Latino audience.
After the huge success of Selena (1997), director Gregory Nava has selected pop star Jennifer Lopez to play the main role as Lauren Adrian, a career-minded Mexican-American journalist who lives in Chicago, but is sent to Juarez, Mexico. She is there to investigate the sexual homicides that have happened since the approval of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) in 1992. Eva, a young victim, makes Lauren reflect upon her own background and decide to fight for the women of Juarez, with the help of her ex-partner, Alfonso Diaz, played by Antonio Banderas. “While Lauren initially uses both Eva and Alfonso to get her story, even risking their lives in the process, she eventually comes to care deeply for the terrified young woman, through a process that includes confronting discomfort and denial about her own racial roots, and joining the female workers on the grueling assembly line to feel their pain.”
(Miller 1). After putting herself in severe danger for her story and after her article is rejected due to political and economical pressure on the newspaper, Lauren leaves her jobs to take over the Mexican newspaper owned by Diaz, who has been shot as a result of his involvement.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Characterization
3. The Case of Jennifer Lopez
4. Concepts and Theories
5. Conclusion
Research Objectives and Themes
This paper examines Gregory Nava's film Bordertown (2006) to analyze its portrayal of Latinas/os, its political agenda regarding globalization and capitalism, and its function as a strategic career move for Jennifer Lopez to appeal to the Spanish-speaking market.
- Representation of Mexico and its inhabitants in mainstream cinema.
- Political criticism of NAFTA and the influence of U.S. corporations.
- Jennifer Lopez's branding and her role as an alleged savior figure.
- Application of media theories such as encoding/decoding and racial formation.
- The intersection of artistic intent and commercial business strategies.
Excerpt from the Book
The Case of Jennifer Lopez
Jennifer Lopez plays the role of Lauren Adrian, a reporter for the Chicago Sentinel, and as a daughter of Mexican immigrants, she does not speak Spanish fluently. She gave up her life for her career, but explains that “when you get it [career], you realize it’s not that great and you have no life” (Nava 40:47). Therefore, she can be seen as a representative of capitalism. She rediscovers herself and her Mexican heritage as she sees herself in Eva. However, this is not a unique idea, since the plot “follows the off-the-shelf narrative […] in which a hard-bitten journalist, usually a U.S. citizen, finds spiritual redemption and self-awareness by exposure to suffering in a developing nation” (Felperin 27). I find it problematic to show Lopez as a savior figure that tries “to unearth the truth pretty much alone, fighting corruption on all sides. And Lopez, of course, dives into her camerahungry role with both feet” (Webster 1). This gives the impression of the United States as the world police force coming to the rescue of the "helpless" Mexicans who seem unable to protect themselves. Not only does this put Lopez in the center spotlight, but it also oversimplifies complex political and economic issues by being “far too dependent on its one-woman-cleaning-up-the-world’s corruption heroine” (Webster 1).
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: The introduction outlines the paper's focus on Bordertown, setting the stage for an analysis of negative Latinx portrayals and the film's broader political and commercial motivations.
2. Characterization: This chapter analyzes the film's depiction of Juarez as a site of exploitation and hopelessness, focusing on the portrayal of Mexican women as helpless victims and the systemic issues linked to NAFTA.
3. The Case of Jennifer Lopez: This section explores how Jennifer Lopez uses the role of Lauren Adrian to cultivate a specific image, questioning whether her involvement is a genuine pursuit of social justice or a calculated commercial strategy.
4. Concepts and Theories: The chapter applies scholarly frameworks, specifically Stuart Hall’s encoding/decoding theory and concepts of representation, to evaluate how audiences perceive the film’s political messaging.
5. Conclusion: The conclusion synthesizes the findings, acknowledging Nava’s political critique while ultimately criticizing the casting of Jennifer Lopez as undermining the film's perceived authenticity.
Keywords
Bordertown, Gregory Nava, Jennifer Lopez, Latinx Representation, Capitalism, NAFTA, Ciudad Juarez, Cultural Industry, Encoding/Decoding, Transnational Identity, Media Criticism, Globalization, Social Injustice, Stereotyping, Political Agenda.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the central focus of this academic paper?
The paper provides a critical analysis of Gregory Nava's film Bordertown, specifically investigating its depiction of Mexican communities and the underlying political and commercial intentions behind the production.
What are the primary themes discussed in the work?
Central themes include the negative representation of Latinx populations, the economic impact of NAFTA, the influence of U.S. corporations, and the intersection of celebrity branding with political social commentary.
What is the author's main research question or goal?
The author aims to show that the film is a product of the mainstream culture industry and that it serves as a vehicle for Jennifer Lopez to boost her popularity within the Spanish-speaking community.
Which scientific methods are applied in this analysis?
The paper utilizes film analysis alongside established media and cultural studies theories, including Stuart Hall’s encoding/decoding model and Sturken and Cartwright’s Concept of Representation.
What topics are covered in the main body of the paper?
The body addresses characterization in the film, the persona and business motivations of Jennifer Lopez, and the application of theoretical frameworks to explain the film's impact and ideological reception.
Which keywords best describe this research?
The research is best characterized by terms such as Bordertown, Latinx representation, media criticism, globalization, and identity politics.
How does the author characterize the role of Jennifer Lopez?
The author views Jennifer Lopez's role as a performative "savior" figure that reinforces the narrative of the U.S. as a world police force while simultaneously acting as a strategic career move for the actress.
What does the author conclude about the film's success?
While acknowledging the film's critique of capitalism, the author concludes that the film’s effectiveness is compromised by its casting choices and its reliance on stereotypical tropes regarding Mexican victimization.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Jannis Rudzki-Weise (Autor:in), 2010, Bordertown. The Case of Latino Identity examplified by Jennifer Lopez, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/164329
