Coco: A marigold bridge between worlds
(grabbed from Disney Pixar Coco's twitter account)
COLORFUL banners and soft lights adorning streets filled with flowers—these are not quite the usual things you see for a day celebrating departed spirits.
Diá De Los Muertos is the Mexican culture’s unique celebration of their rested relatives and ancestors; a beautiful sort of after party for the dead or “the remembered.”
Many films had shown, this holiday, in all its glory but not like Disney Pixar’s 2017 release “Coco.”
Fans of animated films and culture-depicting art were intrigued upon the release of the film’s trailer about a year ago. As it turns out, it was worth everyday of waiting.
The film opens with depictions of the little boy’s family history using paper cut-out art or “papel picado,” telling the tale of a musician who left his family and how they learned to carry on by shoemaking, banning all music in their family’s household.
The film’s hero, a little boy named Miguel, dreams of playing music anyway, like his hero, Ernesto De La Cruz, despite his family’s hatred against the art.
One couldn’t help but admire the detailed and realistic way the Mexican life is portrayed, and how Miguel is an instant heart-stealing character. Viewers would sympathize with him in his daydreaming, and would immerse themselves in his family life, filled with strong female figures of authority and orthodox father characters.
When Miguel’s grandmother, Elena, lovingly explains their traditions from putting up photos of loved ones for Diá De Los Muertos up to their family values, one simply cannot help but absorb every word. It was almost as if one’s own grandmother was telling a goodnight’s tale about their culture and tradition.
In a twist of events, Miguel concludes that he is Ernesto De La Cruz’s great, great grandson and that leads him to steal the dead man’s guitar, something that we learn should never be done during the day of the dead.
We journey with Miguel as he discovers himself and more of his own family’s history in the vibrant and musical land of the dead. It is as if, just like Miguel, everyone is learning about their own family: the one on the screen becomes the viewer’s family, which is why with every plot twist and with every revelation, everyone would laugh, shoulders shaking, or cry, heart wrenched, with the characters—even Miguel’s dog, Dante!
Although some critics say it shows only the surface of Mexican culture, like fiery tempers and irresponsible fathers, and the movie only showed parts of their traditions, this is a huge step into more diverse animated films and exposure to different lifestyles and tales, in-depth views on the complex emotions of a plethora of strong characters, despite most people’s generalized views was shown.
“Coco” gives us a gem of a film with magnificent animations and art. The plot is captivating and envelopes us into a world where we are part of it. It leaves us with life lessons encapsulated in memorable dialogues and songs, the most pronounced being the lullaby, “Remember Me,” in which the main characters connected to each other and to the audience.
Every moment, both quiet and exquisitely loud, was beautiful. The tale of Coco is also filled with stories upon stories, all of which are interwoven perfectly. CHELSEA JEUSE SALGADO
