In a remarkable turn of events, five out of the 25 movies inducted this year into the National Film Registry at the Library of Congress prominently feature Latino lead actors and storylines. These cinematic gems include “Spy Kids,” “Up in Smoke,” “Mi Familia,” “American Me,” and “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan,” as announced by the Library of Congress on Tuesday. This marks the highest number of Latino film inductions in a single year, a feat that Representative Joaquín Castro, D-Texas, has been working tirelessly to achieve. Castro emphasizes that these films tell complex and diverse stories, presenting Latinos in various roles such as heroes, villains, hardworking immigrants, and more. Together, they offer a unique cross-section of Latino contributions to American cinema and showcase the remarkable talent that Latinos bring to the screen.

Unveiling the Rich Tapestry of Latino-Lead Films in the National Film Registry

“Spy Kids”: A Cinematic Journey of Hispanic Heritage

Director Robert Rodríguez is renowned for infusing his Mexican American upbringing in Texas into his films, and “Spy Kids” in 2001 was no exception. In a 2020 interview with NBC News, Rodríguez revealed that he drew inspiration from his experiences growing up in a family of 10 kids. This led to the creation of the delightful action-fantasy film that follows young siblings Juni and Carmen Cortez. As secret spies, they embark on an exciting adventure that showcases Hispanic culture and values. However, getting “Spy Kids” made with Latin leads was no easy task. Rodríguez recalled, “It was so difficult to get ‘Spy Kids’ made with Latin leads because there weren’t enough writers creating roles like that. You don’t have to be British to enjoy James Bond. By making these characters very specific, they become very universal. That was my argument and that’s what got ‘Spy Kids’ made.” To bring the story to life, Rodríguez enlisted Spanish actor Antonio Banderas to play the father, Gregorio Cortez, a nod to his Hispanic heritage. The name is based on the 1982 film “The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez.” Additionally, other recognizable Latino stars in “Spy Kids” are Danny Trejo and Cheech Marin. “Spy Kids” marks the second time Rodríguez has had a movie included in the National Film Registry, following his 1992 debut feature film “El Mariachi.”

“Up in Smoke”: A Counterculture Film Classic

Released in 1978, “Up in Smoke” became an unexpected smash hit and is often regarded as the pioneer of the “stoner” genre. Cheech Marin and actor-comedian Tommy Chong reworked their comedy routines to create a goofy and sometimes stupid humor that appealed to audiences. In an interview with the Library of Congress, Marin explained, “The level of improv that we brought to those movies is what gave it a spontaneity. And that’s why people thought they were happening for the first time. Because in many instances, it was happening for the first time.” This film has stood the test of time and remains a beloved classic.

“Mi Familia”: An Emotional Exploration of the U.S. Latino Experience

Director Gregory Nava’s 1995 film “Mi Familia” is his third movie to be inducted into the National Film Registry. All three of his notable works – “Selena,” “El Norte,” and “Mi Familia” – are renowned explorations of the U.S. Latino experience. This film takes viewers on an emotional journey as it follows the story of a multigenerational Mexican-American family in the U.S., narrated by a second-generation immigrant. Film critic Roger Ebert praised the film, stating, “Their story is told in images of startling beauty and great overflowing energy; it is rare to hear so much laughter from an audience that is also sometimes moved to tears. This is the great American story, told again and again, of how our families came to this land and tried to make it better for their children.” The film features an all-star cast of Latino actors including Jimmy Smits, Esai Morales, Jennifer Lopez, Constance Marie, Jacob Vargas, Benito Martinez, and Edward James Olmos. There are eight films in the registry that feature Olmos as an actor, highlighting his significant contribution to Latino cinema.

“American Me”: A Harsh Look at Chicano Gang Life

In 1992, Edward James Olmos starred in “American Me” as a fictional Mexican mafia leader. This film not only marked Olmos’ directorial debut but also portrayed the dark and brutal realities of Chicano gang life in Los Angeles. Olmos chose to loosely base the movie on a real-life story to bring to light the truths about drug traffic control in prison and on the streets. In an interview with the Library of Congress, he said, “I went for stories that weren’t going to be told by anybody else. Originally, no one wanted to do ‘American Me,’ but I knew it had to be told.” The movie was produced by Jewish-Mexican film producer Lou Adler, who also produced “Up in Smoke” and has several other films previously added to the registry.

“Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan”: A Cinematic Icon with Latino Representation

One of the highly nominated films this year was “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan,” featuring Mexican American actor Ricardo Montalbán as Khan Noonien Singh, the main antagonist. This movie is widely regarded as one of the best in the six original-cast Star Trek theatrical films, with the epic battle between Khan and the main character Kirk ingrained in the memories of countless fans. Montalbán was a fierce advocate for more and improved Latino representation on TV and films. In 1969, he founded the advocacy group Nosotros to promote positive depictions of Latinos in the entertainment industry.

A Collective Effort to Preserve Movie Heritage

According to the Library of Congress, there are now 30 Latino films on the National Film Registry, accounting for about 3.3% of the 900 movies preserved. Latinos currently make up close to 20% of the nation’s population. Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden emphasizes that this is a collective effort in the film community to preserve our cinematic heritage. Films reflect our nation’s history and culture and must be preserved in our national library for generations to come. While “No Country for Old Men” starring Javier Bardem is not included in the 30 Latino films on the registry, it also received strong public support for induction. The word “Hispanic” emerged in the 1960s and refers to people with roots in Spain or Spanish-speaking countries in Latin America or the Caribbean. “Latino” emerged three decades later to include other Latin American countries where Spanish is not the dominant language, such as Brazil.