“Coco” is Pixar / Disney’s take on Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos). It’s a well-crafted movie that gets to the heart of the Day of the Dead which is all about remembering family. It’s a refreshingly original story. Pixar understands Mexican culture, maybe because it is based in California, where Mexican Latinos are in the majority. There are family scenes like mom’s threatening use of the flying chancla (slipper), that you will recognize from your own family.
Was it a coincidence that Disney released the movie on Thanksgiving, the most important U.S. family holiday? Probably not. Strong family ties are one of the gifts that the Latin community brings to the United States. Actually, we don’t bring it, for many of us were already here.
New York’s own Mexican Mayan ritual dancer Javier Dzul did some of the choreography for the movie.
“Coco” screened in theaters in New York City from November 22, 2017 through February 22, 2018.
“Coco” in New York City
Midtown, Manhattan
Flor De Toloache, NYC’s all-female mariachi, joins The Sinfonietta for a screening of Disney’s Day of the Dead movie “Coco” with live music; at The Town Hall in Midtown, Manhattan; on Friday, November 1, 2024, at 8pm. From $56. 🇲🇽
“Coco” is about Family
Great Grandma Coco is the family matriarch. She doesn’t say much and has a little Alzheimer’s. Coco is starting to forget her past.
Miguel is a young boy who dreams of being a musician like his idol Ernesto de la Cruz (Benjamin Bratt, Peruvian-American). Unfortunately, music is banned in the family because Great Grandpa, Coco’s husband, left her for a life of music.
On Día de Muertos, Miguel (Anthony Gonzalez) finds himself in the land of the dead where he meets a friendly character Hector (Gael García Bernal). The only way for Miguel to get home to the world of the living is to get the blessing of a family member before the morning sunrise.
He and Miguel hit it off right away and together they set off to discover the real story of Miguel’s family.
Awards
In 2018 Coco won an Oscar and a Golden Globe for “Best Animated Film.” It was well deserved because Pixar / Disney got this one right.
You live as long as someone remembers you.
The core meaning of the Day of the Dead, Día de Muertos