Jessica González-Rojas Wants Systemic Change and is Aiming for the New York State Assembly

Sarah M. Vasquez

22 January 2020

Latina woman, Jessica González-Rojas, standing in front of the subway

While Jessica González-Rojas’ dream was to work in the United Nations and become a diplomat, an early opportunity to work with Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez, the first Puerto Rican woman to serve in the U.S. Congress, rerouted her path. There, González-Rojas realized that she didn’t need to leave the U.S. to help people in need. Instead, she stayed home and ran for public office, becoming the first Latina to serve on the New York State Democractic Committee from 2002-2006.

“That was really a life changing moment because I saw the needs of our communities domestically,” said González-Rojas in a recent phone interview with the Luz Collective. “It wasn’t about ‘saving in the third world.’ It was about really looking at the needs [of our communities] locally.”

González-Rojas’ desire to help others showed up early. She received a good citizenship award in elementary school, and then as a teen was a candy striper at a local hospital. Her activism has since evolved into focusing on changing political systems and structures. “While I certainly want to help people and serve their needs, I’m looking more at the systemic conditions that we can change so that all our communities can thrive,” said González-Rojas. “[I want to see] that there’s less of a need for social services and more of a fair and just society that allows for all our communities to live out their dreams.”

González-Rojas’ is also motivated by her own family history. Her maternal grandmother struggled with poverty and disability from polio when she came to the mainland from Puerto Rico. Her father immigrated from Paraguay as a teenager and faced a language barrier that caused him to eventually drop out of high school and enter the workforce. “I think part of it is honoring their legacy and their intent around creating the American dream for my generation, me and my brother,” says González-Rojas. “I’ve always had a desire to make sure that the conditions for others behind us are much better.”

In the last fifteen years or so, González-Rojas has focused her efforts on one particular arena for social change: reproductive justice. An early experience at a Planned Parenthood clinic in the mid-90s is part of what has driven that focus. Heading towards the entrance of the clinic, then-college student González-Rojas was verbally and physically assaulted by protestors. “The protesters surrounded the front door,” says González-Rojas. “They yelled at me. They spit at me. They tried to grab my arm and said don’t do it.” She was there to get birth control. The experience left her believing that no one deserves to be treated that way for trying to access health care. Coincidentally, this occurred around the same time that National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health (NLIRH) was founded, where she later became the executive director in 2011.

“NLIRH is the only national reproductive justice organization dedicated to advancing health, dignity, and justice for the 29 million Latinas, their families, and communities in the United States,” according to their website. In 2016, the organization conducted a bilingual survey among Latino voters to learn their views on abortion access. What González-Rojas found interesting from the results was that while Latinos are typically assumed to be more conservative, they actually largely support abortion care. 89 percent of those surveyed stated that they would support a loved one who had an abortion. “So it’s less about should abortion be legal or illegal. That’s actually not the question to ask. The question is should somebody’s opinion on abortion impact another person’s ability to get one and the amount of support you would offer to those making those decisions,” says González-Rojas. “[The survey] showed us overwhelmingly that Latinos support their loved ones in making those decisions. Whether they agree with the decision or not, that’s an important value.”

González-Rojas stepped down from her position with NLIRH last month to run for New York State Assembly District 34, forcing Democrat Assemblyman Michael DenDekker to face election opponents for the first time in his six terms of office. González-Rojas is joined by criminal justice reformer Nuala O’Doherty-Naranjo in vying for the seat. González-Rojas says the incumbent, who is white, is not the right voice for a district that is predominantly people of color. “Their voices, their needs, their solutions are ones I want to make sure I take to the halls of Albany with the state’s legislature,” says González-Rojas.

González-Rojas decision to run may be part of a larger trend in NYC. Ross Barkan writes in a Gothamist article that several Democrats have filed to run for a public office hoping to follow in the footsteps of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. In her first run for office at just 29 she defeated 10-term incumbent Joe Crowley for U.S. House of Representatives in 2018. While having multiple challengers could benefit the incumbent in González-Rojas’ race, Matt Thomas, a member of the Democratic Socialist of America’s Queens electoral group, says that “The demographics of (DenDekker’s) district have changed remarkably. Even a split field is not necessarily going to be enough to preserve the incumbent.”

Make the Road Ahead (MRA) and New York Communities for Change (NYCC), two major grassroots organizations that build political power with marginalized communities in New York, both endorsed González-Rojas last month. “Jessica is the representative our community deserves and needs,” MRA member Aracelly Cantos, said in a press release published on González-Rojas’ campaign website. “She has fought for our community at the local and national level, and we know she will fight for us in the Assembly, especially when it comes to defending the rights and needs of immigrants and workers and tenants of color.” NYCC believes González-Rojas’ leadership experience with NLIRH and in the community makes her the right candidate to deliver their priorities–including a Green New Deal, fully funded schools and tuition-free college–to the New York’s capital.

“I am grateful to receive the NYCC’s powerful endorsement for our campaign. Our campaign is centered on building power for low-income people and people of color and NYCC will be an important partner in mobilizing our community,” González-Rojas said in a press release. “For too long, our immigrant community has been ignored and neglected. I’m running for State Assembly to be a leader for change and an advocate for immigrant justice.”

Instagram Quietly Limited Users’ Ability to See “Political” Content

Luz Media

On February 9th, 2024, Instagram chief Adam Mosseri quietly announced through a thread post that Instagram and Threads would be moving away from actively recommending political content. Mosseri shared that the platforms would be transitioning towards a new system where political content would become opt-in by default. Meta defined political content as “content [that] is likely to mention governments, elections, or social topics that affect a group of people and/or society at large.”

With such a broad definition, users who want to continue seeing anything deemed “political” in their feeds would have to adjust their settings accordingly.

Users can still follow profiles they prefer, but Meta's algorithms will limit the exposure of political content from profiles the user doesn’t follow unless users manually enable the “Don’t limit” option in their preferences. Despite Mosseri specifying "accounts" in the announcement, the limitation will only apply to political content that would appear in suggested content areas like the explore tab, reels, and suggested users. Overall, users weren’t happy.

Comment by @bevdid on Threads

Comment by @rafacst on Threads

This is a reflection of Meta’s overall goal of prioritizing entertaining content over news. This shift has been quietly in the works for a while, with Mark Zuckerberg making his intentions clear in an interview with The Verge back in 2023. While this change to Instagram and Threads allegedly seeks to make interactions less divisive, it severely affects every personal or media account that shares political content and news, effectively limiting their reach.

For creators who share this type of content to raise awareness, advocate for social issues, inform and educate, and drive social action, this creates a big hurdle in reaching a wider audience outside their follower base.

Despite the announcement that the changes would be rolled out over time, the public hasn’t exactly been kept in the loop. As it turns out, the opt-in feature has already been launched and the default setting is set to “limit” political content. In other words, all Instagram accounts have been converted to the new setting, and users are using their accounts without many knowing their content is now limited.

To find the feature and disable it, users have to:

Go to their profile using the iOS or Android app.
Tap more options in the top right, which is the icon with the three horizontal lines.
Scroll down and tap “Suggested content.”
Tap “Political content” and then check the “Don’t limit” box so they “might see more political or social topics” in their suggested content

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The feature isn’t easy to find. Even after following the above directions, several Luz staff members had to use the search function, using “suggested content,” to finally find the setting.

While on the subject of content settings, it’s also important to be aware of Instagram’s Fact-Checked Control. The platform claims a commitment to reducing the spread of false information by using third-party fact-checkers or their own technology to identify and mark false information. When false information is found, the algorithm makes it harder for people to see.

Users have control over how fact-checked content appears in their feed from the creators they follow. Fact-Checked Control is set to “Reduce” by default, which means content considered false or altered will be shown less. This limits content reach even further. To change this setting and have greater access to content, users have to go into their settings, tap “Content preferences,” and then select the level of fact-checking they want. By selecting “Don’t reduce,” no content will be moved lower in the feed, allowing users to see all content.

Reportedly, the “Content preferences” option is not available to everyone, not even if searched within Instagram’s settings. Some users say they’re able to find the setting for political content limitation, but not the setting for fact-checking, while others do have access to both. Users are encouraged to explore their settings thoroughly and decide what kind of content they want on their feed, rather than have Meta decide for them.

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What is the "Marea Verde," the Reproductive Rights Movement Sweeping Latin America?

Source: Wikimedia Commons

On a Saturday in April 1977, a group of mothers gathered in the Plaza de Mayo in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Their purpose was clear - to demand information about their children who had disappeared during Jorge Rafael Videla's dictatorship. Despite facing immense danger, they were determined to make their voices heard.

As they sat in the square, their numbers grew. Eventually, police forced them out of the area, but this only made them more resolute in their mission. They continued to meet, rally, and demand answers relentlessly.

During a pilgrimage to Our Lady of Luján in October of that same year, the mothers finally decided to identify themselves as a group. Distinguished by a plain white headscarf, which is believed to represent the diapers of their missing children, adorned with their embroidered names and birth dates, the mothers stood as a symbol of unity and collective sorrow.

The Mothers of la Plaza de Mayo demand their children be presented alive, 1981. Source: Wikimedia Commons

It was then that Las Madres de Plaza de Mayo became a force to be reckoned with. Their protests and demonstrations would lead to numerous advancements in laws and regulations to locate, identify, and bring justice to their missing children. Their bravery and determination would inspire generations to come.

From the mothers' fight, two powerful symbols were born: the weekly marches every Thursday at 3:30 in the afternoon around the Piramide de Mayo, and the white scarf worn on their heads. These symbols would come to represent not just the mothers themselves, but an entire movement that grew and evolved around them.

The Evolution Of A Movement

In 2015, the #NiUnaMenos movement began in Argentina, driven by the need to put an end to the alarming number of women being murdered in the country. It was a movement that quickly gained traction, as people from all walks of life rallied to demand justice and change.

Three years later, the movement took on a new dimension. In 2018, more than a million activists flooded the streets of Argentina, their green handkerchiefs waving in the breeze, representing hope, health, and life. They were there to support the legalization of abortion, but they were also there to send a powerful message: that women's lives matter, and that they will not be silenced.

The green handkerchiefs soon became a symbol of resistance and solidarity, much like the white handkerchiefs worn by the Mothers and Grandmothers of the Plaza de Mayo during Argentina's dictatorship years. Their fight for justice had been an inspiration to many, and now, the green handkerchiefs were taking up the mantle.

And so, La Marea Verde, or the 'Green Wave' emerged as a movement advocating for women's reproductive rights in Latin America, driving a shift in the conversation on women's sexual and reproductive health and rights to the forefront of the public and political agenda in several countries. Their relentless campaigning has resulted in significant legal actions and raised awareness around abortion, yet more work remains.

Latin America is a region of diverse cultures and traditions, but when it comes to abortion, there seems to be a general consensus on its prohibition. Only a handful of countries in the region allow women to terminate their pregnancies, and even then, only under certain circumstances.

Argentina, Colombia, Cuba, Guyana, Uruguay, and some states of Mexico (Mexico City and Oaxaca) are the only places in Latin America where women can legally request an abortion. However, even in these countries, the process can still be challenging due to social stigma and limited access to healthcare services.

Meanwhile, in El Salvador, the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, and Honduras, abortion is completely prohibited. In these countries, women seeking to end their pregnancies face legal consequences, including imprisonment.

As the fight lives on and the debate on abortion continues to evolve, La Marea Verde's efforts have laid the groundwork for future progress.

Lessons To Be Learned

While countries like Mexico, Argentina, and Colombia have made progress in liberalizing their abortion laws, the U.S. is headed in the opposite direction, slowly stripping away women's rights across the country.

But where U.S. courts and states have failed, the Marea Verde in Latin America has succeeded. With a unified front across countries and no affiliation with specific political parties or organizations, they have slowly but surely helped increase abortion access in several Catholic-majority countries in the region through protests and legal action.

The recent meetings between U.S. advocates including the Women’s March and the Marea Verde groups are nothing short of historic. They have come together to discuss strategy for the first time, marking a major step forward in the fight for reproductive rights. Despite the challenges of an increasingly hostile political landscape, these advocates refuse to be silenced. Instead, they are emboldened by the shared values of justice and equity that unite them across borders.

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In the face of adversity, the La Marea Verde movement has risen up with an unyielding spirit and a steadfast resolve to protect the fundamental right to choose. Together with their allies in the U.S., they are poised to make even greater progress, challenging any attempt to limit reproductive autonomy.

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The Latino Drug-Smuggling Stereotype: Alive and Well Because of Hollywood's Obsession with Narco Shows

Throughout the history of storytelling, media representations of different cultures and communities have played a significant role in shaping public perceptions of people within those communities. Unsurprisingly, these depictions have a lasting cultural impact, and influence the way we interact with each other in real life.

For Latinos, this influence has often been one-sided, with popular media frequently portraying this community within a narrow and mostly negative scope. The rise of narco dramas, as exemplified by shows like “Griselda,” “Narcos,” “El Chapo,” and “Queen of the South,” among others, has raised significant concerns about the way Latinos are represented in popular culture. For Latinos, this influence has often been one-sided, with popular media frequently portraying us within a narrow scope. The rise of narco dramas that often glorify drug cartels, as exemplified by shows like "Narcos," "Breaking Bad," "El Chapo," and "Queen of the South," has raised significant concerns about the way Latinos are represented in popular culture.

Narcos: Mexico (2018)www.imdb.com

While these kinds of narratives do portray one very small aspect of reality, they do so at the expense of other dominant aspects of Latino culture. Instead of getting far more interesting, multi-faceted, and complex stories that highlight the Latino community, the public is stuck with stories emphasizing violence, crime, and lawlessness.

The Rise of Narco Culture in Media

Since the release of "Narcos" on Netflix in 2015, the world has seen a rise in narco-related dramas. These series, while dramatic and engaging, often focus on the most dangerous elements of Latino societies, presenting a skewed perception of Latin America as a haven for crime and corruption. Such depictions have a tangible impact on public perception, reinforcing harmful stereotypes and feeding into prejudices against Latinos.

The portrayal of Latino characters, specifically males, in these series, predominantly centers around the 'macho' narco, exhibiting hyper-masculinity and often engaging in violent, criminal behavior. This representation reinforces the stereotype of the violent, dangerous Latino man, contributing to a distorted view that alienates and stigmatizes Latino communities.

Narcos (2015)www.imdb.com

This skewed representation in popular media has contributed to the shaping of the Latino image in the global psyche, often leading to harmful consequences. For example, research has shown that such portrayals can influence policies, such as immigration laws, where Latino immigrants are more likely to be seen as a threat. Who can forget when former Rep. Steve King (R) argued during his opposition to the DREAM Act and said about undocumented immigrants, "For everyone who's a valedictorian, there's another 100 out there that weigh 130 pounds, and they’ve got calves the size of cantaloupes because they're hauling 75 pounds of marijuana across the desert."

The Role of Latina Women in Narco Dramas

Interestingly, narco dramas also present an intriguing portrayal of Latina women. Shows like “Queen of the South,” and “Griselda” depict Latina women as powerful figures within the narco world as well. They are shown as strong, intelligent, and fiercely independent, often rising to leadership positions in a male-dominated world, and even surpassing their male counterparts.

While this portrayal, in some ways, challenges traditional gender roles and norms, it also raises concerns because it adds to the limitation of how diverse communities are portrayed in the media. With shows about Latino criminals constantly at the forefront, it often feels like the only portrayal of Latinidad most of the world is exposed to is crime-ridden and violent.

Griselda (2024)www.imdb.com

Additionally, the representation of Latina women as sensual femme fatales plays into another harmful stereotype of hyper-sexualization. While these characters are often portrayed as empowered, their sexualization can limit their representation to their physical attributes and appeal, thereby reducing the complexity of their characters.

The feminist argument is also often employed to defend putting women in these roles by declaring them powerful and independent. However, these harmful narco roles actually undermine what true feminism actually is. What feminism is not, is violent, greedy, and power-hungry. An empowered female character isn’t a feminist when all they have done is put a woman in a role defined by toxic masculinity.

While crime dramas with Latino figures can serve as a way to explore positive characteristics like resilience, grit, passion, and a desire for a better life, the fact that these human endeavors and attributes are explored in the context of crime and drugs, muddies the waters. We continue to await a time when Hollywood dares to explore the Latino experience outside of that context and a time when people will demand an expansive view of Latino culture being placed in front of them.

Toward a More Balanced Representation

It continues to be clear that a more balanced portrayal of Latinos in the media is not only necessary but also long overdue. Latinos are doctors, teachers, entrepreneurs, artists, scientists, and so much more. These narratives deserve to be told and celebrated. Shows like "The Lincoln Lawyer," "On My Block," and "Gentefied," among others, have made strides in showcasing the multi-dimensional nature of Latino lives, highlighting the richness of their culture, struggles, and triumphs.

American Latinos are more than the roles that have been scripted by white studio executives and showrunners. It’s not the first time, or the last time, that the harm these stereotypes cause will be called out, but what is clear, is that the calls to tell authentic and accurate Latino stories continue to get louder.

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10 Most Popular Latino Snacks You Have to Try

Sometimes, you’re in the mood for something salty or something sweet, and a healthy bite just won’t cut it. When regular snacks from the convenience store aren’t savory enough for your international palate, Latino snacks come in to save the day.

Try this sampling from across Latin America.

Pulparindo from Mexico

“Pulparindo” is a classic Mexican candy that combines sweet, sour, salty, and spicy flavors. If you’ve never had spicy candy, this will change your life! It’s made with tamarind, but there are also other flavors like mango and watermelon. We recommend the tamarind flavor because it’s the classic option and it offers the most authentic experience. “Pulparindo” is hard to describe, but we bet you’ll love it.

Alfajores Jorgito from Argentina

“Alfajores” are the ultimate Argentinian sweet treat and “Jorgito” is one of the top brands in the country, so they’re a must-try. “Alfajores” are a type of shortbread cookie filled with dulce de leche and coated in chocolate. One thing we love about this snack is that it may look dry at first glance, but when you bite into it, it melts in your mouth and the combination of flavors is out of this world. They’re perfect with tea–yerba mate tea if you want to be traditional.

Arequipe Alpina from Colombia

“Arequipe Alpina” is a very popular spread in Colombia and it’s versatile because it goes on anything. “Arequipe” is dulce de leche, made from simmering milk and sugar until it caramelizes and thickens, leaving a sweet and creamy spread. You can enjoy it on its own or spread it on bread or saltines for a nice contrast of flavors, and you can also use it in pastries, cakes, and more.

Torontos from Venezuela

“Toronto” is one of the most popular chocolates in Venezuela and that’s saying something because they love their cocoa over there. “Toronto” is a round milk chocolate candy with three layers: a thin chocolate shell, creamy milk chocolate and chopped hazelnut paste, and a whole hazelnut in the center. You won’t be able to have just one, it’s impossible!

Garoto Bombones from Brazil

Brazil also has some great chocolate bites, and the most popular ones are the “Garoto Bombones.” They’re individually wrapped bonbons made with milk chocolate and a variety of different fillings. “Garoto Bombones” usually come in a box of assorted flavors, ranging from the classic chocolate ganache filling to fruity fillings. You’ll have a lot of fun discovering each flavor and deciding which one’s your favorite.

Manicris from Ecuador

Peanut lovers will enjoy this one! “Manicris” is one of the most popular snacks in Ecuador because they take peanuts and transform them by adding a crunchy layer. The crunchy layer is a bit sweet, and combined with the peanut's saltiness, it makes a delightful snack. Beware, they can be addictive!

Super8 from Chile

“Super8” is a Chilean favorite, and for good reason! They’re long wafer cookies filled with cream and coated in rich chocolate, so they offer a good balance of flavors and texture. They’re a delicious, sweet, crispy treat that can go really well with some coffee or a cold soft drink. Either way, you’ll enjoy every bite.

Platanitos from Panama

“Platanitos” are thinly sliced and fried plantain chips and they’re popular throughout South America, so of course they love them over in Panama. They’re crispy and salty, though they can also be slightly sweet depending on the ripeness of the plantain. You can enjoy “Platanitos” on their own and they can be a great addition to your movie night snack rotation, but they can also be served alongside meals like sandwiches or wraps.

Mazapán from Mexico

“De la Rosa Mazapán” is another classic Mexican treat, but this time, it’s a sweet treat. It’s similar to the marzipan you probably already know, but “De la Rosa Mazapán” is made of peanuts and sugar, so the flavor and texture are a little different. They’re simply delicious, and they melt in your mouth, which is why people have a hard time eating just one. They’re crumbly, though, so don’t even think about eating them in bed. And if you want an extra challenge, try eating it without it crumbling into a million pieces.

Chocolike Cremita from Bolivia

Last but not least, we have the “Chocolike Cremita” from Bolivia. Chocolike is a big brand over there, and they’re known for their instant chocolate powder drink, which kids love. The “Cremita” is the creamy snack version of the chocolate drink, so it’s become a popular variation of the powder drink. You scoop it up and eat it as is, but you could also spread it on bread if you feel like elevating the snack a little bit.

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Latina Socialists Claudia De la Cruz and Karina Garcia are Running for President: Tired of the Status Quo

The number of Latina women in American politics is growing with the addition of Claudia De la Cruz and Karina Garcia. The duo is running for President and Vice President of the United States as candidates for the Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL). De la Cruz and Garcia are running on an audacious anti-capitalism platform for the 2024 Presidential Elections. Their candidacies are a bold departure from the mainstream, as their stated goal is to dismantle capitalism and usher in a fairer, more equitable society based on socialist principles.

In a recent interview with “Refinery 29,” De la Cruz and Garcia discuss their political career and what life experiences eventually led them to embrace their current political and economic views. Both De la Cruz and Garcia come from working-class backgrounds and have been shaped by their experiences growing up in marginalized communities. De la Cruz, raised in the South Bronx by Dominican immigrants, was exposed to liberation theology and socialist ideas at a young age, while Garcia, the daughter of Mexican immigrants, became aware of the injustices of capitalism through her activism against sweatshop labor.

In working with the United Students Against Sweatshops (USAS), Garcia understood that the problem was a systemic one. She noticed that no matter how many brands invested in being ethical and sustainable, there would always be others doing the opposite for the sake of the bottom line. “The logic of capitalism doesn't allow for ‘good capitalist companies’ because there is the endless, unlimited drive for creating profit. That’s what got me into anti-capitalist politics,” she told “Refinery 29.”

De la Cruz and Garcia’s decision to run for office is motivated by a deep dissatisfaction with the political landscape as it is now. They highlight the failure of both the Democratic Party and the Republican Party to address issues like poverty, immigration, foreign policy, student debt, and the climate crisis.

Rather than aligning themselves with established parties, De la Cruz and Garcia advocate for a radical alternative that will serve their communities. Together, they seek to build their own party to ignite a movement independent of capitalist systems, with the ultimate goal of dismantling capitalism entirely.

Their platform includes seizing control of the 100 largest corporations in the U.S. and turning them into public property, as well as prioritizing international solidarity and collaboration in foreign policy. The concept of government nationalizing private industry isn’t a new one, and foreign countries with established democracies, like Canada and Germany, have nationalized private corporations as recently as 2022.

They argue that the capitalist system prioritizes the interests of the wealthy elite at the expense of the working class, both domestically and globally, and they view their campaign as a crucial step towards building a broader socialist movement in the country.

They acknowledge their almost non-existent chances of victory given the way socialism is perceived in the U.S., and the structural barriers that favor a two-party system. At this point, it’s unclear how many state ballots they would even appear on as presidential candidates.

However, they believe that voting for the lesser of two evils perpetuates a flawed political system, and they advocate for concrete solutions that address the root causes of societal problems. “Anti-socialist sentiment has become like a second religion in the U.S., [and this happened] precisely because socialism speaks to working-class people because it places working-class people's needs at the forefront and [because] we see the capitalist system that we live up under, that has been imposed on us as a dictatorship of billionaires who plays a political class, to advance ruling class interest rather than ours,” asserted De la Cruz in the “Refinery 29” interview.

They believe that by challenging capitalist ideology's dominance in American politics and providing an alternative that resonates with millions who want to dismantle systems of oppression, De la Cruz and Garcia are paving the way for a more transformative vision of society—one that prioritizes the needs of the many over the interests of the few.

De la Cruz expressed this sentiment clearly in the “Refinery 29” interview, saying, “We don't want to deal with the symptoms of capitalism. We need to deal with the actual illness, and the biggest illness that we are dealing with globally is a capitalist system. We need to be able to create another structure. Voting for the lesser of two evils is not a strategy we should continue to entertain.”

De la Cruz and Garcia acknowledge that they’re not the first socialists to run for President and Vice President in a fervently capitalist country, but they’re committed to seeing their ideals put into practice and showing Americans a different perspective by presenting the possibility of a third party, and the options that it can bring to the table for all.

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These Latino Movies Scored Big at the 2024 SXSW Film Festival

The 38th South by Southwest Film Festival, simply known as SXSW, left us with many Latino films to check out. This year, the lineup included many different movies from Latino directors or starring Latino talent that left quite an impression. Here are the top 10 Latino movies that made waves at the 38th SXSW Film Festival:

The In Between

"The In Between," was directed by Robie Flores and it was included in the SXSW Documentary Feature Competition. The film offers a poetic perspective of the coming-of-age experience while living on the U.S.-Mexico border, with Flores revisiting her hometown Eagle Pass after her brother’s death. The film paints a very personal portrait of growing up on the border and the rediscovery of joy after grief.

Bionico’s Bachata

“Bionico’s Bachata” is a Dominican movie by filmmaker Yoel Morales that explores themes like love, friendship, and addiction. Included in the SXSW Global category, this is an experimental comedy-drama that follows Bionico, a crack addict and hopeless romantic. Against the backdrop of a hostile Caribbean city, Bionico is struggling to stay clean while also trying to find a job and a house to start a new life when his fiancée, La Flaca, comes out of rehab.

Malta

“Malta” was directed by Colombian Natalia Santa and it follows Mariana, a young woman who wants to get away from her everyday life as a working girl in Bogotá. She chooses Malta as her destination but before she gets there, she meets Gabriel, who wiggles his way into her life with tough questions and bad jokes, forcing Mariana to look within herself and determine what she’s really running from. Included in the SXSW Global category, this movie explores love and self-discovery.

Música

Included in the SXSW Narrative Feature category, “Música” is the directorial debut of musician and actor Randy Mancuso of Italian-American and Brazilian descent. The film tells his coming-of-age story and it explores both how he deals with synesthesia, a condition in which one sense is experienced in combination with another sense, and the Brazilian-American culture he grew up with.

Cheech and Chong’s Last Movie

"Cheech and Chong's Last Movie" is the first authorized documentary by the duo and it was directed by American David Bushell. Included in the SXSW Documentary Feature category, this project relives the glory days of Chicano comedian Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong through archival material. It provides laughter and many insights while exploring themes like fame and friendship.

Y2K

“Y2K” is a disaster comedy film directed by American comedian Kyle Mooney and included in the SXSW Narrative Feature category. The film stars Rachel Zegler of Colombian and Polish descent as the lead, sharing the spotlight with Jake Gyllenhaal, Sydney Sweeney, Ryan Gosling, Anne Hathaway, and Dev Patel. The movie is set in 1999 and it follows two high school juniors who crash a New Year’s Eve party that ends badly.

Sing Sing

Directed by American filmmaker Greg Kwedar and included in the SXSW Narrative Feature category, “Sing Sing” is a drama film starring Afro-Latino star Colman Domingo. The film is based on real events at the famous Sing Sing prison, which uses theater as a part of their rehabilitation program. The story follows Divine G., a man imprisoned for a crime he didn’t commit, as he finds his purpose through participating in the prison’s theater group. It explores themes of humanity, resilience, and the power of art.

Toll

“Toll” was directed by Carolina Markowicz, a Brazilian director and writer based in São-Paulo. The film follows a mother and toll booth attendant named Suellen as she gets involved with a gang of thieves to make extra money for her family. However, her main goal in raising money is to send her son to a gay conversion workshop.

Bob Trevino Likes It

Directed by American director and screenwriter Tracie Laymon, “Bob Trevino Likes It” is based on a true friendship that Laymon sparked with a stranger as she looked for her estranged father online. The film stars Barbie Ferreira of Brazilian descent and Colombian-American John Leguizamo and it explores friendship and familial connections.

Omni Loop

“Omni Loop” was directed by Brazilian Bernardo Britto and it’s a comedy, drama, and sci-fi movie starring Mary Louise Parker and Ayo Edebiri. The story follows Zoya Lowe as she gets diagnosed with a black hole in her chest and is given a week to live. However, this is an experience she has had many times before. Until she meets Paula, a young woman who studies time, and together they set out to solve time travel so Zoya can go back in time and live the life she’s always wanted.

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