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From the Margins to the Center

For our presentation, we analyzed Robert Rodriguez's film El Mariachi. The film was an amazing success, as it was made for $7,000 and grossed over $2 million worldwide. While the US press praised Rodriguez for his provident production ethic, it failed to acknowledge his adherence to the well-established, low-overhead Mexican filmmaking tradition. The combination of El Mariachi's commercial success with its adherence to Mexican filmmaking tradition makes the film one-of-a-kind.

The film itself is a hybrid exploitation of two genres: the Mexican narcotraficante film genre and the transnational action genre. Interestingly, the countercultural protagonist of the film is the polar opposite of the stereotypical machismo hero in film. Even though the protagonist is only skilled in art, culture, and morality, he is able to overcome the challenges of the drug cartel and is ultimately the only remaining survivor, highlighting Rodriguez's message that no matter the circumstances, morality will prevail.

Click the PDF below to see our powerpoint presentation:

 

Robert Rodriguez.