This document provides information about the animated film "The Book of Life" including a summary of the plot inspired by the Mexican Day of the Dead holiday, notes on the diverse representation of Mexican culture and strong female roles, and a discussion of the importance of inclusion and representation in media. It also shares reactions and analysis of the film's portrayal of culture and gender from a screening event at the Women's Center.

1. The Book of Life
Welcome to the event and
welcome to the
Women’s Center!

2. Welcome!
Presentation
Movie/food
Talk

3. Intro
A love story within different worlds inspired by
“Dia de Los Muertos”
producer: Guillermo del Toro
director: Jorge R. Gutierrez
main voice actors:
Diego Luna, Zoe Saldana,
Channing Tatum

4. I want to share this movie because
it is more diverse and inclusive
it represents people of color, esp. Mexican culture
through Day of the Dead holiday
there are stronger female roles
it’s cute

5. “Latino Media Gap”
http://www.columbia.edu/cu/cser/downloads/
AdvancedExectutiveSummary.pdf
although the Latino population grew more than
43% from 2000 to 2010, the rate of media
participation (behind and in front of the
camera...) stayed stagnant or grew only
slightly
when Latinos are visible, they tend to be
portrayed through decades-old stereotypes as
criminals, law enforcers, cheap labor and
hypersexualized beings
Consequences:
● persistent and unchecked job
discrimination in a key U.S. industry
● deprives consumers of innovative
perspectives at a moment of rapid
industry and demographic change
● the limited and stereotypical nature of
existing stories about Latinos skews
the public’s perception of U.S. society.

7. Dia de los Muertos—the Day of the Dead—is a holiday celebrated on
November 1. Although marked throughout Latin America, Dia de los
Muertos is most strongly associated with Mexico, where the tradition
originated.
Dia de los Muertos honors the dead with festivals and lively
celebrations, a typically Latin American custom that combines
indigenous Aztec ritual with Catholicism, brought to the region by
Spanish conquistadores. (Dia de los Muertos is celebrated on All
Saints Day and All Souls Day, minor holidays in the Catholic
calendar.)
http://education.nationalgeographic.com/

8. What do you think? Initial Reactions?

9. What aspects of Mexican culture did you notice? (through
characters, imagery, language, music, themes etc.)
From the movie’s representation of culture, what gender
expectations/roles did you notice?

10. Minority Feisty?
Margot Magowan, founder of Reel Girl
Blog
Romney T. Marino, a member of the
movie crew replied:
Accused this movie of having a
Minority Feisty:
a token strong female character or two
who reviewers will call “feisty.”
She’s supposed to make us feel like the
movie is contemporary and feminist.
We’re no longer supposed to care that
almost all of the other characters in the
film are male
I’d go so far as saying Maria and La
Muerte...are among two of the strongest
written female animated characters ...
because they are played as equals to
their male counterparts...
...Maria and La Muerte, not to mention
Manolo’s Grandma, his Mother
Carmen, and his Cousins... are all
strong female characters and positive
role models for girls.

11. How do these representations of culture/gender identities
compare with other cartoons/animated movies?

12. Mostly Latinos directed/produced/created this movie.
Why do you think it’s important to have women &
people of color behind the scenes too?
How can we make the media more inclusive?

13. Cool Resources
“Latino Media Gap Report” by Columbia University
http://www.columbia.edu/cu/cser/downloads/
AdvancedExectutiveSummary.pdf
MissRepresentation.org is a non-profit social
action campaign and media organization
established to shift people’s consciousness,
inspire individual and community action, and
ultimately transform culture so everyone,
regardless of gender, age or circumstance can
fulfill their potential.
Blogs: Geekquality; Reelgirl