The bandido, the harlot, the male buffoon, the female clown, the Latin lover, and the dark lady-these have been the defining, and demeaning, images of Latinos in U.S. cinema for more than a century. In this book, Charles Ramirez Berg develops an innovative theory of stereotyping that accounts for the persistence of such images in U.S. popular culture. He also explores how Latino actors and filmmakers have actively subverted and resisted such stereotyping.

In the first part of the book, Berg sets forth his theory of stereotyping, defines the classic stereotypes, and investigates how actors such as Raul Julia, Rosie Perez, Jose Ferrer, Lupe Velez, and Gilbert Roland have subverted stereotypical roles. In the second part, he analyzes Hollywood's portrayal of Latinos in three genres: social problem films, John Ford westerns, and science fiction films. In the concluding section, Berg looks at Latino self-representation and anti-stereotyping in Mexican American border documentaries and in the feature films of Robert Rodriguez. He also presents an exclusive interview in which Rodriguez talks about his entire career, from Bedhead to Spy Kids, and comments on the role of a Latino filmmaker in Hollywood and how he tries to subvert the system.

"This book fills a void in bringing together Hollywood stereotyping and Latino self-representation in one study. With clarity and insight, Berg demonstrates why it is so important to take such an approach." -- Chon Noriega, author of Shot in America: Television, the State, and the Rise of Chicano Cinema

About the Author
Charles Ramirez Berg is University Distinguished Teaching Professor and Associate Professor of Radio-Television-Film at the University of Texas at Austin.

Reviews
"This book fills a void in bringing together Hollywood stereotyping and Latino self-representation in one study. With clarity and insight, Berg demonstrates why it is so important to take such an approach." Chon Noriega, author of Shot in America: Television, the State, and the Rise of Chicano Cinema



Book Information
ISBN 9780292709072
Author Charles Ramirez Berg
Format Paperback
Page Count 328
Imprint University of Texas Press
Publisher University of Texas Press
Dimensions(mm) 229mm * 152mm * 20mm