SELENA

US, 1997, 127 minutes, Colour.
Jennifer Lopez, Edward James Olmos, Lupe Ontiveros, Jon Seda.
Directed by Gregory Nava.

There is great exuberance in this film, the short life and career of the Mexican singer, Selena, discovered by her father at the age of 10 and his managing of, the steps of her career, differences with father, and the sell-out concerts, the appeal to Hispanic Americans, and her reaching number one in the charts.

The film offers a very strong performance by Jennifer Lopez as Selena. Lopez herself was at the beginning of her career, and was to succeed in film, singing and concert performances. Her father is portrayed by Edward James Olmos.

At the end of her short life, Selena wanted to exercise some independence, but she always valued the support of her family. Her assistant, Yolanda, played by your Lupe Ontiveros, is close to Selena but turns against her when Selena accuses her of stealing. Yolanda kills the rising star – to the grief of family as well as to how many fans.

The film was directed by Gregory Nava, whose films include Hispanic themes, El Norte and Mi Familia.

1. The film as a celebration of Selena? 1971 to 1995? The blend of joy, sadness, inspiration?

2. A true story, a 20th century celebrity story? The 1980s and 1990s? A North American story, the blend of Texas and Mexico, American and Hispanic? Selena as a bridge between the two traditional cultures?

3. The Texas background, the locations, the countryside, the cities of Texas, the comparisons with Mexico, the countryside, the towns?

4. The framework of Selena’s success, concerts, the Grammy award? The flashbacks? Life to death?

5. The portrait of her family, Abraham as a Hispanic patriarch, yet wanting to be particularly American? Music and the family, Selena and her childhood,
music, singing and dancing? Family life, her mother, her brother, her sister? The bonds between the siblings? Serena’s life and performance, hopes?

6. Selena as a little girl, her talent, singing, audience response, her self-confidence, liking the acclaim? Fostered by her father?

7. The teenage Selena, the developments in music, singing, her emerging from the family, her father organizing and promoting, the range of concerts, the ups and downs? The collages of her singing, her costumes? Her brother as producer? Travel, her mother’s support, her sister’s support?

8. The issue of the Anglo tradition and the Hispanic tradition? Her singing and her songs and the Mexicans not responding? Produces being wary? Selena and her singing the Hispanic songs, the music and the gestures, eliciting audience response, enthusiastic reactions? Hand clapping, the beat, her movement, the physical presence, sexuality, costumes? Acclaim?

9. Constituting the band, the different band members, life on the roads, the caravans?

10. Anthony, his background, poor, his talent, rough appearance? Joining the band, his haircut, being spruced up will with Selena, the growing bond, their being good friends, able to talk to each other about anything, falling in love? Abraham and his condemnation of Anthony, ousting him? Selina’s reaction, rebelling, leaving the group, the discussions about marriage, the quick marriage, that news getting out, waiting a day to talk to her father, his acceptance and incorporating Anthony back in the group?

11. Selena and her transcending boundaries, her learning some Spanish, the press conference, her being able to use Spanish phrases, to talk personally
with the, the favourable response to her?

12. The buildup to the Grammy award, taking her friend, the dress, the snobbery of the woman in the shop as regards the price, the fans finding out that she was there, autographs? The award itself, her hopes, her speech and thanking everyone?

13. The world of the fans, the throng? The openings of the shops, fashion design, the catwalks? The companies, the issues of money, her friend and the cheques? Yolanda, her background, her being careful about the money, the gift of the ring?

14. The revelation of Yolanda’s character, her past mismanagement? the confrontation with Yolanda, the father and his severity, Selena and her disappointment? Yolanda and her denials? Promises to get the documents?

15. The shooting sequence, the shock for the audience? Hospital? Her death? Yolanda, with the gun, in the car, siege?

16. Selena and her career, her celebrity, her spirit, her achievement?

17. The final credits and the footage of the real Selena, her life, her performances?