Jan 15

Jan 15 I Am Coco

The Importance of Family and Bridge Building Traditions In the Age of Trump And DACA

It’s no accident that Disney released Pixar’s “Coco” in Mexico before the U.S.

In what can only be described as a love letter to Mexico, Disney took great pains to get this culturally conscious story done right. Hiring a cultural consult group, Pixar's 3D computer-animated film, co-directed by Adrian Molina, has an all-Latinx cast, and the Mexican folk music, el Son Jarocho, was recorded in Mexico.

The effort paid off in the film earning a 2018 Golden Globe Award, over $198 million at the box office in the U.S., and over $425 million in global markets – making it the highest grossing of 12 Pixar recent releases combined in China. And in Mexico, "Coco" became the top grossing film of all time in that market.

“Coco” is a loving and warm animated family film that celebrates Mexican traditions, pays homage to ancestors in the Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) holiday, and most importantly, reminds us of the value of family and keeping our history alive.

The rich, vibrant colors in the film and jubilant music add to the continuum of warmth one feels throughout the story of a young boy, Miguel, who on a musical quest travels to the Land of the Dead in search of a long lost relative. Along the way, the audience is taken on their own journey as the engaging characters and witty comedy teaches lessons about family, redemption, forgiveness, understanding, and Mexican culture.

In the Age of Trump, where the nation’s leader tears undocumented families apart via deportation and who threatens the same for the “Dreamers,” those who came illegally to the U.S. as young children, “Coco” is a timely blessing. While the president vows to build a wall to keep people out, “Coco” focuses on the importance of building a bridge. In the film, the bridge allows the ancestors to cross into the joyful afterlife where they will live forever in our memories. But the bridge is deeper than that. The film allows its multi-ethnic and multi-cultural audience to see Mexican life, heritage and culture with warmth and understanding, building a bridge that transcends our differences: our love of family.

Kudos to Disney for recognizing the responsibility of sharing important Latino traditions and culture. The film itself is a triumphant bridge builder at a time when walls seem to be at the center of the national conversation.