The story of a domestic worker in the Film “Roma” has garnered an Oscar for best foreign language Film. In Mexico, however, the main actress looks fierce racial hostility.
Yalitza Aparicio had just finished her teaching degree when she auditioned for the role of Cleo – and promptly got
It would have been a Sensation, but maybe Hollywood is not ready yet. The Oscar for the best actress went at the end of the first indigenous woman ever to be nominated for the most important film award. Yalitza Aparicio, Mixtekin from the Mexican state of Oaxaca, and speaks in her role even Mixtec, one of the 68 indigenous languages of the country, it can, hopefully, get over. Because the Name of the 25-Year-old is at the latest since the Oscar ceremony on everyone’s lips.
In the Film “Roma” plays Aparicio, the housekeeper Cleo, who works at a middle-class family in Mexico city. The role is inspired by Liboria Rodríguez, the nanny, the supervised once-Director Alfonso Cuarón in his Childhood. His Film is a searing account of how the indigenous population in Mexico and discriminated against is at a disadvantage – and that triggered a big Controversy in Mexico. On the one hand, the company is proud to show the real Mexico. Many find, however, the story of Yalitza and Cleo was not worthy to be told.
“Roma” is based on the Childhood of the Mexican Director Alfonso Cuarón
The everyday racism in Mexico
“Pinche india” – commented a Mexican actor Oscar nomination for Aparicio as best actress – the worst racial slur that exists in Mexico. Other comments were below the belt line. “She can’t act, she should not be nominated” or “she’s not acting, she’s like,” were the common judgments in the social networks that had to listen to Aparicio in your home.
Someone who does not correspond to the standard image of Beauty could triumph in the United States, and on the title pages of fashion Newspapers can be remarkable, explained some of the Mexican Actresses pointed. And journalists asked Aparicio finally, publicly, to dress for the awards ceremonies like a Indigenous.
Mexican Elite feels threatened
“This is a mirror image of the traditional racism in Mexico, many of the Privileged to maintain still. The most derogatory reactions come from people who do not have the slightest Chance to ever win in your life a price. You are an example for the envy to the Talent and the success of others,” says Federico Navarrete, a historian at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), in an Interview with DW.
Reason for joy at the Oscars: Director Alfonso Cuarón leading actress Yalitza Aparizio hugs
“The Mexican Elite believes that the Power belongs to them alone. People with white skin color, the privileged and the important Post in the society, feel threatened now ,” adds the author of the book “Racist Mexico: A termination”.
Aparicio, the true face of Mexico
In the Mexican society color include disrespectful sentences because of the skin to the agenda. This is all the more surprising, since more than 80 percent of the population have a dark complexion, as studies by the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI) show. Aparicio is the true face of Mexico is so, despite the criticism, the corners must once.
For the Mexican society, the success of Yalitza Aparicio is of enormous importance. The indigenous population is marginalized in Mexico is still very, in particular with regard to access to education, work and health. The darker the skin color, the lower the Chance of a good school, to study or to do a good Job.
The Mexican dream, know to be
“Roma” puts the Finger in the wound and in Mexico is still widespread veneration of white skin. The Film invites you not only for nostalgia, but also reflects relentlessly the small change that has taken place in the social structures of Mexico in the past decades.
“I’m breaking with the stereotype that we can’t do that as Indigenous certain things”: Aparizio with Cuarón
This is very obvious on the example of Marina de Tavira, which plays a minor role. De Tavira was Criticised not at any time publicly, addressed or offended. The actress has bright hair and white skin. “In Mexico to climb the social ladder means that you will literally white. There are even skin brightening creams in the country. To be white is a claim, and is associated with the Elite, sophistication and sophistication”, explains Federico Navarrete.
“Roma” has not triggered only won the Oscar for best foreign language Film, but – more importantly – the debate about social inequality in Mexico again. And Yalitza Aparicio is also without Oscar Inspiration for all indigenous and dark-skinned women in Mexico.