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10 Best Latino Performances of 2016 And Their Absence From The Nominations

By José Alberto Hermosillo, It is Award Season. Many are wondering why Latino actors are not nominated for the Oscars and Golden Globes.
Last year, the African-American community ignited a movement, #OscarsSoWhite.

They rightly argued the lack of people of color nominated in the acting categories for the past two years. The hashtag went viral within minutes after the nominations announced.

Their campaign in social media brought the attention of the Academy of Motion Pictures, Arts, and Sciences to change its rules. They needed to bring in new members of minority groups and encouraged movie studios to cast more diversity in their productions.

This year, African-Americans are making sure they heard their voices by producing high-quality films competing for the awards: “Fences,” “Loving,” “Moonlight,” “Hidden Figures,” “Kicks.” Also the documentaries: “13th,” “I Am Not Your Negro,” and “O.J.: Made in America.”

It makes us think: is this year going to be #OscarsSoBlackAndWhite and nothing in between? What about Latinos, Asians, and Native-Americans?

This extraordinary example set by brave Afro-American filmmakers must be followed by our Latino constituents to produce compelling films with universal themes, worthy of Awards.
In 2016, Latinos had a modest participation in the movies, but their excellent performances have overlooked this Award Season.
Some schools, organizations and film festivals began incubating new talent from minority groups. But it is taking way too long. Other foundations are helping with small grants to help finish their modest projects, but those are “baby steps” to reach out to the level of excellence needed to compete for Awards.
You don’t cure cancer with aspirin.
In a more optimistic and inclusive world, powerful A-list Latino directors (Del Toro, Cuarón, Iñárritu) should be bolder to seek, produce, direct, and mentor stories where Latino actors can play the leads.
Filmmaking is a collaborative effort. Mentoring is the key to success.
Last year, first-time filmmaker Laszló Nemes won the Oscar for Best Foreign Film for “Son of Saul.” He was mentored by the now-retired, Hungarian director Béla Tarr (“The Turin Horse”). The experience from a legendary filmmaker elevated the film to a high level of accomplishment. And that is what the Academy is looking for, excellence.
Why can’t Latinos follow this formula?

Halle Berry (“Monster’s Ball”) and Charlize Theron (“Monster”) won their Oscars because they produced their own films. They went bold and believed in their own projects. They accepted the challenge and went all the way to win gold.
The same thing happened when Salma Hayek produced “Frida.” She received an Oscar nomination because she worked really hard to make a magnificent film. She had the energy and courage to put things together. In addition, she wanted to show to the world her love for Mexico and its culture.

Chilean director Pablo Larrain and his brother, producer Juan De Dios Larrain, put together two great projects this year: “Neruda” with Gael Garcia Bernal and “Jackie” with Natalie Portman. Both were biopics and, in my opinion, were worthy of many awards.

However, “Jackie” did get the attention of the Academy voters. Again, it is a Latino director making a film without a Latino cast.

We, the Latinos who are working in the movie industry, need to compromise and make films worthy of a Golden Globe or an Oscar for Latino actors. We all have dreams, don’t we?

Many Latino movies are making big money at the box office.
However, Uruguayan filmmaker Fede Alvarez had a number one hit at the box-office two weeks in a row with his thriller “Don’t Breathe.”
The Mexican comedy “No Manches Frida” started and produced by actress Martha Higadera ("Street Kings," "McFarland, USA"), was the number 8 in the U.S.A. as one of the most successful Independent films of the year.
The biopic of the Panamanian boxer Roberto Duran, directed by Venezuelan Jonathan Jakubowicz, “Hands of Stone” was a hit at the box-offce and is having a big success overseas. Mexican actor Diego Luna booked (and kept his accent) for the lead in one of the all-time highest-grossing, money making movies, “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.” Now, he is going to be Tony Montana in a new version of “Scarface.”
It’s important to recognize the excellence of many talented Latino actors from around the world, whether they are from Hollywood, Spain, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Puerto Rico, Chile.
And the best Latino Performances in a film in 2016 are: Sonia Braga
Premiered in Cannes
"In "Aquarius," Sonia Braga's marvelous portrayal of Clara is unforgettable. She is a music critic, a mother and a cancer survivor who is fighting for her ocean-view apartment and to keep her family together with a great sense of dignity and respect." Diego Luna
Rogue One:
A Star Wars Story

Diego Luna’s enormous screen presence is terrific as the rebel warrior Cassian Andor. He is making sure things happen in this spectacular, out of the Galaxy drama. Edgar Ramírez
Hands of Stone
Panamá, USA
"Edgar Ramirez playing Duran is remarkable. He trained for nine months before getting into character, to be able to start the physical transformation that allowed him to get closer to what this real world champion was." Penélope Crúz
Ma ma
Spain, France
“Penélope Crúz is at her best in this emotional journey of a pregnant woman with breast cancer. The love and support of her family will played a significant role in this compelling and convincing contemporary story.” Salma Hayek
Septembers of Shiraz
" 'Septembers of Shiraz' is Salma Hayek’s best performance since 'Frida.' " Gael García Bernal
Special Mention to:
Luis Gnecco
Mercedes Morán
" 'Neruda' is a cinematic work of art and poetry, full of temper and passion. This is the perfect antihero movie. Terrific cast." Emma Suarez
Adriana Ugarte

The haunting story of an obsessive woman and her daughter told thirty years apart. Adriana Ugarte is young Julieta, and Emma Suarez is mature Julieta. Both Spaniard actresses are just fantastic under the direction of Pedro Almodóvar. Leia Costa

Spanish actress Leila Costa is terrific playing Victoria. She will live one intense and unforgettable night in Berlin. Lupita Nyong'o
Queen of Katwe
Kind and charismatic, Mexican-born Oscar Winner actress Lupita Nyong’o is marvelous in this chess movie out of Uganda. Gael Garcia Bernal
Closing Night Film, LAFF

Gael Garcia Bernal is natural playing this desperate young man who needs to cross the desert to reunite with his son. The drama of the immigrants will take global dimensions of today’s refugee crisis.

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Posted by Jose Alberto Hermosillo at 5:54 AM Labels: Awards #Oscars, Diego Luna, Edgar Ramirez, Gael Garcia Bernal, Hands of Stone, Hollywood, Julieta #JosesLists, Latin Actors, Ma Ma, Neruda, Penelope Cruz, Rogue One A Star Wars Story, Salma Hayek, Sonia Braga