27 movies by and about Latinos are nominated to the National Film Registry
27 films centering Latino experiences are nominated to the National Film Registry at the Library of Congress in an effort by Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-Texas.
Films about legendary Mexican artist Frida Kahlo and the 1968 East Los Angeles high school walkouts as well as the highest grossing Spanish-language film to open in North America are among 27 Latino-themed movies nominated this year to the National Film Registry at the Library of Congress.
The nominations are part of a larger effort started two years ago by Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-Texas, alongside members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus to fight Latino underrepresentation in Hollywood and across the nation's biggest cultural institutions.
In a letter to Librarian of Congress Dr. Carla Hayden, first obtained by NBC News on Monday, Castro said the latest nominations stem from hundreds of suggestions from the public.
"The continued exclusion of Latinos in the film industry affects Latinos seeking opportunities in the industry and shapes how Latinos are perceived, stereotyped and misunderstood in American life," Castro wrote in the letter dated Aug. 15. "The media and entertainment industry is the narrative-creating and image-defining institution in America."
Eugenio Derbez and Loreto Peralta in "Instructions Not Included."Pantelion Films via YouTubeAmong this year's nominated films are Julie Taymor’s 2002 biographic film “Frida,” starring Salma Hayek as Frida Kahlo, and Edward James Olmos’ 2006 film “Walkout,” based on the true story of the 1968 East Los Angeles high school walkouts, starring Michael Peña and Alexa Vega.
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