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Mamitas (2011)

1. Mamitas
Mamitas is an independent film shot in Echo Park and Los Angeles. A coming of age romance between a young man named Jordin E.J. Bonilla and a young bookish New York girl named Felipa (Veronica Diaz-Carranza), both dealing with family issues they form an unlikely friendship that later develops into something more. Their friendship helps Jordin who is a troubled young man find who he really is as a person. Jordin faces the issue of his father's negligence and not having a women figure around. At the same time you have Felipa who comes to grip with her own troubles and the truth about her mother. Felipa accepts the fact that her mother has troubles and needs to find a solution.. The movie which was directed and written by Nicholas Ozeki tells a great story through its actors. It is an independent film that captures the essence of the city and its inhabitants. This story demonstrates a great coming of age story from a Latino background and the troubles everyday Latinos go through.

I. Plot
Jordin Juarez is a charming yet troubled high-school teen who has issues at home and at school. At school, Jordin is popular and embodies that role. For instance, Jordin Juarez gets suspended from school for talking back to his teacher. The same day of his suspension, after school, Jordan and his friend attempt to hit on girls. It is that day where Jordin meets Felipa, a smart bookworm who befriends him. Due to Jordin’s bad behavior at school it leaves Jordin’s father no option but to be angry at him. At home, Jordin’s life is no pretty image. Jordin and his father have a miscommunication with-one-another which leaves Jordin with questions regarding his family's past. Jordin questions his father’s love for his mother, who passed away during Jordan’s birth. Jordin assumes his father hates him because of his birth his mother died. Jordins friendship with Felipa plays a huge role in Jordin’s self-growth during his troubles. Felipa herself faces her own problems at home. Felipa’s mother is in prison in New York and Felipa has a hard time coping with the hard fact that her mother does not wish to talk to her. In the meantime, Felipa was forced  to stay with her aunt and uncle in Echo Park because she had no other options. Her friendship with Jordin also allows them to learn from one another. Felipa was able to help Jordin find answers to his mother's past. Their closeness allows for both Felipa and Jordan to spark an interesting romance.

Plot summary
The film captures the essence of a teenager living in Los Angeles. Jordin Juarez, at a certain extent, embodies what it means to be a troubled Latino in Los Angeles. The conflicts that Juarez faces at home and at school merge larger issues that Latinos may face on a day to day basis. At school with his friends, Jordin plays the role of the cool guy who does not see the need for an education in order to fit in. Because Juarez is not being true to himself, but rather fitting in, consequently, he does very poorly in school. Also, the film is consciously rising how issues at home and school perpetuate issues academically. For example, at home, Juarez’s relationship with his father has not been great which has affected Jordin’s behavior at school. Due to Jordin’s misconduct at school, he does poorly and is suspended. Jordin has a very conservative typical machismo father who believes it is better to swallow emotions rather than show them. Often, Latinos are presumed to play typical roles of gangsters who are up to no good. In this case, Juarez was just confused and needed the motivation from his family and father in order to do well in school. Jordin’s problems exemplify some of the external and internal conflicts that are relevant to teenagers in high school. For example many Latino parents do not know how to help their kids in academics. They struggle simply since many did not receive a higher education. Although Jordin plays the role of a troubled Latino teen, which is common in films, this film allows the audience to sympathize with Jordin. This film portrays a realistic image of a Latino which makes Jordin and the cast relatable.

II. Cast

 * 1) E.J Bonilla as Jordin Juarez
 * 2) Pedro Armendariz Jr. as Ramon ‘Tata”
 * 3) Joaquin De Almeida as Professor Alexander Viera
 * 4) Jesse Garcia as Hector Juarez
 * 5) Jennifer Esposito as Miss Ruiz
 * 6) Veronica Diaz-Carranza as Felipa
 * 7) Alex Fernandez as Jordin Juarez

IV. Awards
Mamitas has won multiple awards such as Independent Spirit Awards ‘Someone to Watch Award’ Nominee, 2011 Los Angeles Film Festival Premiere, Best Narrative Feature Film, 2011 Urbanworld Film Festival, 2011 Napa Valley Film Festival, Jury Prize and Audience Award, Best Narrative Feature Film Nominee, 2011 New York Latino International Film Festival

- Credits

 * 1) Director - Nicholas Ozeki
 * 2) Screenplay - Nicholas Ozeki
 * 3) Producer - Adam Renehan
 * 4) Co-Producer - Jordan Auten
 * 5) Editor - Melissa Brown
 * 6) Casting Director - Arlie Day

Reference

 * 1) sources:* youtube trailer  *rottentomatoes. com * imdb  * Movie site* http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/entertainment/2012/04/30/conversation-with-lead-man-from-mamitas/* http://elaccampusnews.com/2012/05/02/mamitas-debuts-in-lecture-hall/* http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/462187/Mamitas/details* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E.J._Bonilla* http://www.filmindependent.org/blogs/filmmaker-spotlight/a-trip-through-la-with-mamitas-filmmaker-nicholas-ozeki/#.Uap4arVQGSo