"My Family" (1995)

“My Family” is a film that shares one of the many similar stories that immigrant families live when searching for the “American dream” in the United States. When Jose and Maria begin their family they go through many hardships, including the deportation of pregnant Maria, who was a mother of two children already and a U.S. citizen. Two years after she finds her way back home with Chucho, her two-year-old son. Chucho is a very important character in the story of this family. Chucho grows up to be a pachuco or a zoot-suit who gets in trouble and his decisions and outcomes affect the lives of everyone in his family. 

The story in this movie is not so different from real life situations in the United States with the Mexican-American population. “MY Family” it’s a clear representation of many Mexican-American families; this film shows their culture, religion, food, music, socioeconomic status and the love for each other despite the hardships. Love for their family is what kept them going. 

Even thought this film is not base on a real story, it is based on real events. When California was once part of Mexico, many Mexican families lived peacefully in their humble houses and worked on their land. When the territory became U.S. grounds, then these families lost sense of belonging. In moments like those, it's when family and love bring hope and contentment.