LATINO
US, 1985, 110 minutes, Colour.
Robert Beltran, Annette Charles.
Directed by Haskell Wexler.
Latino is a strong American movie on the Nicaraguan situation of the 1980's, the Sandinista government, the revolution after the Somoza regime and the American Contras. The film takes a strong stand against the Contras, against American policy and the sending of military advisors and is strongly pro-Sandinista. (In 1989, the Sandinista government was defeated in elections.)
The film was directed by noted Oscar winning director of photography Haskell Wexler (In the Heat of the Night). In the late 60's he directed Medium Cool, a look at the background of the election conventions in Chicago in 1968. The point of view is quite partisan, but deeply felt. The film stars Roberto Beltran (Eating Raoul, Scenes from the Class Struggle in Beverly Hills). The film might be compared to other movies about Nicaragua in the 1980's including Roger Spotiswoode's Under Fire and the Nicaraguan-made Alsino and the Condor.
1. An entertaining film, interesting? Partisan stance? Propaganda or not? The convictions of its perspective?
2. Audience knowledge of the 1980s and American foreign policy, Central America, the war in El Salvador? The revolution in Nicaragua in 1979? The Nicaraguan Contras and the strong military backing from the United States? Their presence in Honduras? The divided public opinion in the U.S. in the 80s?
3. The comparison with movies on Central America in the 80s? Haskell Wexler and his point of view, stances?
4. The title and its focus on Nicaragua and Honduras, the Latinos of Central America on Eddie and the various American Latinos, especially from L.A., and their involvement as military advisors for the Contras? The Contras as Latinos? Nicaragua since the 20s, 1979, the Sandinista movement for progress in farming co-operatives, the optimism in the countryside, the political stances of the Contras, their military background in the Somoza regime in the national guard, their being based in Honduras, raids into Nicaragua, American military advisors, anonymity, financial support? the picture of the U.S. military advisors, the Vietnam background and experience, Green Berets, their anonymity and Eddie's not wanting it but to die for his country, known as such ( the irony of his finally being stripped and taken away to death)?
7. Eddie, Los Angeles, waking him, family, the Vietnam, experience, the orders to go to Central America, his partner and their friendship, transported to Honduras, relationship with officers and commanders, with political personal? with the people in Honduras? Eddie’s attitudes, strong patriotism? Encountering the people in everyday life, the wealthy Hondurans and Nicaraguans and their luxury?
8. The presentation of American authority figures, political, diplomatic, military? The secret strategies against the Nicaraguan government, for the Contras?
9. The picture of the Nicaraguan villages, the inhabitants, the attacks, the violation of rights, men being captured, executions, young men being taken and trained by the military advisors?
10. The woman and her child, her work, widow, living in Honduras, Nicaraguan background? Attracted to Eddie, their experiences together, a possible family? The affair? The effect on her, on Eddy? Their talking together, his ambiguity and concealing his commands, operations? Her return for her father's funeral? The break between the two? Eddie in her house, her return, the possibility of a future? Her questioning his attitudes? Her decision to go to the village, in the co-operative? Her final stance? The American attack on the village, Eddie's capture, her sadness yet her stance as she watched him taken away?
11. Eddie and his partner, the hard attitudes, involved in torturing the young man, training troops? The relentless attitude, superiority? His death?
12. Eddy and the young boy, discovering him, exchanging language, Eddy's decision to teach him, train him? The young man concealing his loyalties working in the American camp? him? His triumphant return to the village?
13. The theme of American humiliation, arrogance, involvement, and taken to death? Audience sympathies, antipathies? Eddie as an ambiguous character?
14. The presentation of the guerrilla warfare in Central America, the Contras and their personnel, their fascist attitudes, cruelty? Villages and the defence? The political implications? The waging of the war in Central America? For whose advantage? The benefits?
