Consuming Latin America--My responses

The money montage in the cult-classic, "Scarface" is not only iconic, it says a lot about the movie and it's characters and serves as a distinctive turning point in the film. Through the money montage we can see that tony has not only embraced capitalism, he basically represents it now. After the turning point of Tony killing Mel and Frank, Tony reaches the height of his riches and happiness, but also reaches the point of no return. This is further emphasized by the song playing in the background, “Scarface” (push it to the limit). In the montage, the song talks about limits and pushing the boundaries between what one currently has and possibility. The song also talks about winning and fighting to keep what has already been amassed. This represents tony’s situation for the rest of the film perfectly as he works, negotiates, and even kills, while he desperately tries to cling to the life he has built for himself; consequently though, the tighter he holds onto this power ...

Media and politics have always been closely tied in not only the internal affairs of a country but the international as well. Latin America has been no exception and if anything may probably be seen as a case study in the realm of media influence on politics. It is no secret that the US has interest all over the world, but especially so in Latin America; this includes oil, mining, and agriculture. When the US has perceived that their assets and interests are in jeopardy, they mobilize and use any means they can to protect and fight for their interests--they not only consume but they create for others to consume. The New York Times obituary for Agustin Edwards, the owner of Chilean conservative paper, El Mercurio gives a brief breakdown of his life and his legacy. Though his ties to the Times are acknowledged, his and his family's interests in politics and their role in bringing down the Allende government in the 70s are touched on. to further explore the topic of the Edwards an...

The three caballeros seems to be a play of the Three musketeers, however the irony of the title is plain as day, especially in this movie. Though caballero means gentleman, the make characters are anything but. The stereotypic image of a gentleman would be a man who fights of the honor of women and to protect her virtues. However, in this film, the meaning of the word caballero is turned on the head and becomes more superficial. Instead of protecting the virtues of the women they come across or respecting their virtues, they instead exploit them and try to consume them, as seen the numerous times that they call Donald a “wolf in duck’s clothing.” In fact, a great majority of the film is spent focusing on women and the feminine assets of a culture that is much more diverse than women and food. In an effort to be representative, the three caballeros instead appropriates, manipulates and sexualizes almost an entire hemisphere. Instead of creating an image meant to be wholistic and au...

The petroleum industry is known not only for its vital role in the modern world, but also its lucrative implications. Even in cartoons, the trope of striking "black gold" can often be seen--followed by scenes where the cartoon character who came across the oil is swimming in gold. In the section "The Balck Curse of Petroleum" Galeano explores the underhanded means that have put U.S. and European based multinational fuel corporations into the profitable throne they sit on today.   when talking about the petroleum industry, Galeano refers to the whole affair and its main beneficiaries (big wigs) as a cartel. And like a cartel, the petroleum industries’ leaders use all kinds of tactics from coercion, to coups, using their money to put into power people who would benefit them and expand their power. And  Though the price of petroleum production in the united states is higher than in latin America, the U.S. sees greater profit. In countries like Mexico and Colombia for...