Documentary

This video documentary looks at the history of Hispanic or Latino stars and pictures in Hollywood, focusing on the last half of the 20th century. Stars such as Jimmy Smits, Antonio Banderas, Sonia Braga, and others discuss their experiences as Hispanic actors. They reflect on prejudices and attitudes, "Latin lovers" such as Valentino, and on how their positions in Hollywood differ compared to previous Hispanic actors. Highlights include excerpts from various movies with Latino actors, stories or themes, including the Academy Award-winning West Side Story (1961), Neptune's Daughter (1949), The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez (1982), Stand and Deliver (1987), and others. ~ Steve Blackburn, Rovi

American filmmakers Laurie Ann Schag and Casey Stoll journeyed to Cuba to investigate the nuts and bolts of day-to-day life for artists and musicians in Cuba, and Great Day in Havana is the result, offering a look at the literal state of the arts in Cuba's capital city. Sculptor Pedro "Pulido" Gonzalez, performance artist Tania Bruguera, singer and songwriter Carlos Varela, and jazz musicians Ele Valdes and Carlos Alfonso all discuss their work, the political climate in Cuba, their feelings about Fidel Castro, and their views on America's economic embargo against their nation. Elio Ruiz, a filmmaker born in Cuba who now lives elsewhere, also lends his perspectives on Cuba's large exile community. Yareli Arizmendi narrates. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

In June of 2000, a young homeless man, evidently high on drugs, made a failed attempt to rob a bus in a wealthy Rio de Janeiro neighborhood. When his plans went awry, the young man, Sandro do Nascimento, armed with a pistol, took the bus passengers hostage. Soon, cops and reporters surrounded the bus. A SWAT team arrived. About four hours later, the incident came to a horrific and tragic end. Filmmaker José Padilha's documentary, Bus 174, explores the events of that day. The film uses a great deal of file footage of the event, in addition to interviews with hostages, policemen, reporters, and others connected to the incident and to the unstable and desperate young man at its center. The filmmakers explore social conditions in the city, along with the personal traumas that led Sandro to his desperate act. As a child, Sandro had witnessed the brutal murder of his mother, and had subsequently found himself on the streets at an early age. In 1993, he survived the infamous massacre of homeless youths at Candelária, which is widely thought to have been committed by police officers. Sandro was also imprisoned at a youth facility, and in a city jail, and the appalling conditions in those prisons are also depicted in the film. Bus 174 was shown at New Directors/New Films in 2003. ~ Josh Ralske, Rovi

From the very folks who brought viewers The Dirty South and Trick Daddy: Uncut comes a tantalizing look at some of the craziest and most alluring Latin ladies from across the country. These women certainly aren't shy, and as the bass from Trick Daddy and Trina's latest releases bumps on the soundtrack, the wildest women from Miami to Puerto Rico make no bones about baring it all for the camera. Whether they're in the club or on the streets, these ladies certainly know how to party and with this release, viewers don't need a special invitation to join in on all the raunchy fun. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

An artist whose life was as bold and startling as her work, Frida Kahlo battled physical infirmity and a male-dominated art establishment to become one of the most acclaimed and influential painters of her generation. Kahlo also had a passionate interest in politics with her leftist views informed by the Mexican Revolution; she was an outspoken advocate of Communism and a powerful symbol of the progressive movement throughout her life. The Life and Times of Frida Kahlo is a documentary which tells Kahlo's story as a woman, as an artist, and as a symbol of women's rights and Latin progress. The film is narrated by actress Rita Moreno, while singer Lila Downs provides the voice of Kahlo. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

This episode of the long-running A&E series Biography takes a look at the life and career of the artist Frida Kahlo. Her impressive art as well as her remarkable life are both well represented in this biography that combines interviews with art historians and archival footage in order to discuss many aspects of her life and work, including her relationship with the famed Diego Rivera. ~ Perry Seibert, Rovi

The hardships of a Mexico City construction crew struggling to complete a second deck atop the massive Periférico Freeway are explored in director Juan Carlos Rulfo's studied look at the modern work ethic. As countless drivers zoom past the enormous worksite day after day, the anonymous workers toil away in a relentless drive to finish construction on the massive freeway addition by the scheduled completion date of December 2005. Despite the long hours and sometimes harsh working conditions, workers such as "Shorty" and "EL Grande" look past the sub-standard safety conditions to focus on the task at hand. Though both men know that when the project is finally completed they will likely receive little to no recognition for their monumental feat, the differing attitudes that they take towards their jobs offers a compelling look at the divisive opinions that many Mexicans hold in regards to both themselves and their country. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Eusebio de Haro Espinosa was a young man from Mexico who slipped over the U.S. border into Texas and was desperate for a drink of water when he happened upon the home of Samuel Blackwood. Later the same day, seventy-year-old Blackwood shot and killed Espinosa; some reports say Blackwood and his wife were chasing the young man in their car when he was killed, while Blackwood's friends and family insist the death was the result of an accident. When Blackwood's case came to trial, it was discovered that part of his initial indictment paperwork had gone missing -- including a key passage concerning weapons -- and eventually the elderly man was released with a suspended sentence, while Espinosa's family insist racism is to blame for their son's death and the failure to bring Blackwood to justice. Filmmakers John Sheedy, David Eckenrode and John Eckenrode examine the Eusebio de Haro Espinosa case in El Inmigrante, a documentary which focuses on the realities of illegal immigration in America -- overworked border guards who feel more compassion than anger towards their charges, amateur vigilantes who discuss their fears of who may be coming into America, and Espinosa's family in Mexico who talk about the young man's death and what prompted him to leave his home. El Inmigrante was screened as part of the 2006 New York Latino Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Cherry Ridez, Vol. 2 features custom cars, motorcycles, and trucks, as well as a number of attractive young women posing in bikinis, all set to a beat heavy soundtrack. ~ Perry Seibert, Rovi