National Film Registry inducts 'Up in Smoke,' 'Mi Familia,' and 'American Me' as part of record number of latino-led films

“Spy Kids,” “Up in Smoke,” “Mi Familia,” “American Me” and “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan” were five Latino led movies chosen by The Library of Congress for preservation in the National Film Registry; here's a look at the films.

In a record, five of the 25 movies inducted this year into the National Film Registry at the Library of Congress feature prominent Latino lead actors and storylines.

These are “Spy Kids,” “Up in Smoke,” “Mi Familia,” “American Me” and “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan,” the Library of Congress announced on Tuesday.

It's the most inductions of this kind in a given year, according to Rep. Joaquín Castro, D-Texas, who’s been working to increase the number of Latino films chosen for preservation.

In a statement, Castro said the films “tell complex and sometimes difficult stories, featuring Latinos as heroes and villains, hard-working immigrants and goofballs, space travelers and so much more. Together, these films represent a unique cross-section of Latino contributions to American cinema and showcase the talent Latinos bring to the screen.”

Clockwise from top left, Carla Gugino, Antonio Banderas, Alexa PeñaVega and Daryl Sabara in "Spy Kids."Alamy Castro had included all of the films, except for “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan,” in the annual nominations list he submits to the National Film Registry. In 2021, when he was chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Castro successfully advocated to add late singer Selena Quintanilla’s 1997 biopic “Selena” to the registry. Since then, he's nominated dozens of films in an effort to increase and improve Latino representation in media and entertainment.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/national-film-registry-2024-record-latino-led-movies-rcna184493

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