"The Latino List; Volume Two" is the latest installment in an ongoing series of films and programming on cultural diversity that HBO is trying to promote. Latinos List, Volume 1 focused on Latin America entertainers and celebrities such singer Gloria Estefan, and actors America Ferrara and John Leguizamo, but Volume 2 opts for a broader panorama and includes the likes of Activist Dolores Huerta, Univision President Cesar Conde, AT&T CEO Ralph de la Vega, and Entrepreneur Nely Galan among others. The film maintained the simplistic nature of the original film with studio interviews intercut with photographs. The beauty of this particular installment is that we are not just watching famous entertainers; no we are witnessing other celebrities in other venues.
The film plays out with an incredible sense of balance and proportion. One moment the audience was hollering in laughter at Victor Cruz's narration and the next moment utter silence permeated the ambience as people took in the guilt of Dolores Huerta over how she could have saved Robert Kennedy's life three times on the day that he was assassinated. Aside from the two aforementioned narrations, de la Vega's description about how he was forced away from his parents for four years was equally gripping. Nely Galan's vibrant personality was on full display during her segment, but hers was a motivational description that would truly resonate with today's employment/economic situation. Then there was George Lopez. Everyone knows the man as a comedian with a great smile. But does anyone know where that smile and sense of comic timing came from? You would never guess the darkness behind such light, but this segment really creates a new appreciation for a man who spends his time entertaining and serving others.
Throughout the night a number of the people associated with the film stated time and again that they were trying to create a new wave of role models among Latinos for the younger generations. Most young people will immediately be attracted to Latin American athletes and entertainers, but what about activists, business people, and politicians they asked? Who are the Latino role models in those areas? The film merely hints at these possibilities and in this respect, it is an undeniable success.
More coverage of the Latino List Premiere HERE.
Photos from the Event HERE.
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