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Latin/o American Cultural Traditions in Disney and Zorro

This panel delves into the analysis of the popular representation of action heroes (Zorro) or popular cultural traditions (Coco) and the misrepresentation of some cultural aspects (The Emperor’s New Groove).

Martha Kosir states that “Coco speaks not only to the changing global cultural context, but also to the continued importance of local and family traditions.” Amanda Frantz-Mamani writes that The Emperor’s New Groove is a morality tale about an Inca emperor named Kuzco. To children and adults, it was a typical Disney film.” Frantz_Mamani agrees with Helaine Silverman that “these films are interpreted uncritically by most viewers.” Sharon Reeves examines Zorro, “ one of the most intriguing and highly regarded action figures, a dual-identity hero forever linked to California’s triple identity: Spanish, Mexican, and American.”

Presentations

The Universality of Human Experience in the Disney Pixar Movie Coco

Presenters

Martha Kosir

“The Enduring Legacy of El Zorro: The Original Romantic Latin Action Hero of Fiction, Film and Television in American Popular Culture.”

Presenters

Sharon Reeves

Cultural Appropriation: The Emperor’s New Groove Disapproves

Presenters

Amanda Frantz-Mamani

Session chairs

Amanda Frantz-Mamani