‘In the Heights’ uplifts a Latino community and helps reframe Hollywood roles
Summary
Blockbuster films delayed by the pandemic are now hitting the big screen. Among the first of the summer season is “In the Heights,” which opened recently in theaters and streams on HBO Max. As Jeffrey Brown reports, the modern-day musical with a Latino cast set in a Manhattan neighborhood has high ambitions of shaking up Hollywood and beyond.
Five Facts
Who
wrote, “In the Heights”?
Why
is “In the Heights” different from other blockbusters, according to this piece?
What
is the premise of “In the Heights”?
When
did the original play come out?
Where
is “In the Heights” based?
How
does “In the Heights” represent Latinx populations and cultures?
Focus Questions
How does the piece describe the current state of Latinx representation in Hollywood? In what ways does “In the Heights” defy this?
What is the importance of diverse representation in Hollywood? Think about how you identify — is your race, culture, or ethnicity represented in Hollywood? How might lack of representation affect marginalized groups?
Media literacy:
What are the different forms of media that this segment uses? Why do you think they included each of them? How did they aid you in your understanding?
For More
For a deeper historical background of Washington Heights, NY, see
this article
.
For the full trailer of “In the Heights”, see below.
"I think his story could be inspirational not just to African Americans, but to everybody. I think we all have felt voiceless at a point in time." – Yaba Baker, fourth great-grand child of potter David Drake
