Banner year for Latinos at Oscars

The Oscars has entered into an interesting year honoring many Hispanic artists with esteemed nominations. Actors, Directors, and cinematographers are reveling in the acknowledgment of Hispanic artists in 2007.

I'm not really one to hang my race high. I'm Puerto Rican born from two pure Puerto Ricans, and yet I'm not always interested in wearing my culture on my sleeve, for the simple fact that labels are easy to have, and that sets limitations for me. May not be a philosophy many agree with, but it's just what gets me by.

But, there's no denying that this year at the Oscars, whether you examine the occasion or not, has been an interesting year for Hispanics in the film industry. Actors, Directors, and Producers have all been granted some sort of accolade for their work in the film medium.

True, some were deserved and some not, but where as years ago, the Oscars paid a certain homage to African Americans in the business, this year has been an interesting one for Hispanics.

What with Penelope Cruz (Spain) nominated for her acclaimed turn in "Volver," and Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu's (Mexico) directorial turn in "Babel," as well as Guillermo del Toro, Alfonso Cuaròn, Adriana Barraza and Guillermo Arriaga all grabbing highly esteemed nominations, it's interesting to see this tide turn.

As many film buffs know, the Oscars are notorious for being blatantly dismissive of minorities. Though, African Americans are noted as being the primary race dismissed for their artistic contributions, HIspanics and Asians have suffered almost the same kicks.

Over the last six years, the Oscar academy has steadily back pedeled the bad press by paying homage to excellent minority entertainers that have gone almost virtually unnoticed, nominated old and new comers in the industry, and one of the most publicized contenders for Best Director was Ang Lee who directed "Brokeback Mountain."

If you've ever seen "The Bronze Screen," it's pretty clear that minorities in general have suffered this dismissal, as well as President George W. Bush practically outlawing the Spanish language as an alternative for the Star Spangled Banner, yet in 2006, we saw quite a few masters propel their films into Oscar competition.

Most notably nominated was Alfonso Cuaròn for his utterly amazing "Children of Men," a film that earned, sadly, only technical nominations, and Guillermo Del Toro's fantastic "Pan's Labyrinth" for Best Foreign Language Film, both films have been tied as my number 2 favorites of 2006.

Penelope Cruz, a favorite of Pedro Almodovar explains, "It has been a long time coming, especially since millions of people speak Spanish as their main language in this country. It's great that it's finally being reflected in movies." This ceremony marks the first time Cruz has ever been nominated, as well as Iñarritu for his acclaimed "Babel."

Adriana Barraza of "Babel" (earning seven nominations, "Pan's" at six) who is competing with fellow co-star Rinko Kikuchi (my vote), views this nomination as a chance for audiences to view a rare sub-plot: "With my character, an immigrant worker, audiences get to see the feelings, the needs, the real reasons why they are here in the United States, people like my character, they are contributing to this society, and it's important for people to see that."

Agree or not, Barraza's turn as an illegal immigrant Nanny of two children, who finds herself in a rather perilous situation after she’s caught drunk at the border, is excellent.

"I think what it means is that there is finally a very, very strong all-inclusive presence of Spanish-language culture in the mainstream," Guillermo Del Toro explains, "And by this I mean it's not an isolated case of an actor or a star, but I'm talking about technicians, artists, cinematographers, art directors, makeup artists."

This year marks one of the few times Hispanics have peppered most of the categories, which Cruz attributes to a more globalized film industry. But Gonzalez Iñarritu, honored to be nominated, has warned of defining people with labels.

"The film 'Babel' is not about 'I am Mexican, and you are American,' the point is we are human, and we are born naked before someone puts stupid passports on us and raises a flag."

I concur.

The 79th Academy Awards Ceremony airs February 25th. Check Local Listings.