Y Tu Mamá También: Narrating Identities

Voice over narration is a difficult technique to get right.
The essay examines its presence in Alfonso Cuarón's 'Y Tu Mamá También' (2001), a Mexican coming of age film which explores adolescence, sexuality, and issues of personal and national identity.
In this unique example, voice over narration enhances the story, characters and cinematic experience, allowing us to develop a deep and complex connection to the subjectivities of its protagonists.
Please leave a comment with your own examples of voice over done right!
Written & Edited by Affrica Handley
Music:
Spanish Rose - Chris Haugen
Pink Flamenco - Doug Maxwell

Пікірлер: 90

  • @FernandoTorres-yo1eh
    @FernandoTorres-yo1eh6 жыл бұрын

    “Y tu Mamá También” is an amazing film. I wrote a 10,000 word essay about the way it develops its sociopolitical themes through the background, both contextual and visual. I don’t know if you just couldn’t fit it in in a short video, but for me, the most striking aspect of the film is that Julio and Tenoch represent Mexico’s middle and upper class, respectively. In their journey, the deeper Julio and Tenoch get to explore the “real” Mexico, the more they get to know about themselves. It is only in boca del cielo, in the heart Mexico, that they are able to love each other, with no restraints and no shame. However, their downfall afterwards represents the sad truth about Mexico’s contemporary society: the middle and upper class are in desperate need to love each other, but they aren’t mature enough to recognize it; also, they have a heart-breaking disinterest in exploring their own roots, in getting to know the real Mexico, learning to love it and staying with it. As a Mexican, these are heavy-hitting themes that ring true in our current sociopolitical climate, especially with the upcoming presidential elections. This is why “Y tu Mamá También” is my favorite film, and I love to see it getting some foreign love, especially with such a great video essay as yours. I liked, suscribed, and watched like 3 times. Pd: sorry if my english isn’t perfect.

  • @Fretful_porcupine

    @Fretful_porcupine

    6 жыл бұрын

    I would love to read this essay, if you don't mind. ¿Me lo puede mandar por email? Estaría bien si usted lo escribió en español.

  • @ggermm

    @ggermm

    6 жыл бұрын

    !Sera rebueno! Mandamelo tambien, si te da la gana!

  • @songyiworld

    @songyiworld

    6 жыл бұрын

    would love to read this essay too..

  • @alexanderrmz9701

    @alexanderrmz9701

    5 жыл бұрын

    Mandamelo paisano

  • @paulinafonseca7122

    @paulinafonseca7122

    5 жыл бұрын

    Fernando Torres Tambien es mi pelicula favorita! me encantaria leer su ensayo

  • @ismaela50
    @ismaela502 жыл бұрын

    The ending of this movie leaves me with such a empty feeling. I’m turning 19 and the concept of growing up is hitting hard. Beautiful movie

  • @omarelric
    @omarelric5 жыл бұрын

    I’m obsessed with this film because it’s a very tiny window into what México was before the internet, the main characters have mannerisms and attitudes very ubiquitous among youths in that time, they remind me of some of my relatives in their adolescence, i find very hard these days to remember how life was like back then, I guess that’s just how the future is. I can’t believe this film was made by the same guy that made roma, Roma doesn’t feel as redemptive as y tu mamá también

  • @04steen

    @04steen

    4 жыл бұрын

    Roma was not directed by Alfonso Cuaron but by Alejandro González Iñárritu

  • @eternalworm44

    @eternalworm44

    4 жыл бұрын

    04steen no it actually was directed by Cauron

  • @Jonalexher

    @Jonalexher

    3 жыл бұрын

    I feel the same way about Argentina

  • @kiribundi
    @kiribundi6 жыл бұрын

    Cuaron likes to comment on event parallel to the main plot in his movies. He did it in Children of Men, where the camera always lingers a little longer to grasp tragedies that would otherwise be forgotten. It makes you feel like he's not only telling a story, but also introducing you to a universe full of complexities.

  • @dontpanic5278

    @dontpanic5278

    6 жыл бұрын

    It's really unique. The camera in his movies is almost like a character in itself, like it has a personality. It's like an invisible cameraman walking around and observing things around the world of the movie.

  • @kiribundi

    @kiribundi

    6 жыл бұрын

    Don't Panic Emmanuel Lubezki is a character in all of the movies he shoots hahahahahah

  • @phillipanthony4707
    @phillipanthony47076 жыл бұрын

    Good video. I just watched the film for the first time, though Cuarón is one my favorite directors. There's a few ways you could look at the film, but what really struck me about it was the juxtaposition between the main story and the harsh realities the narrator brings to attention. While we're watching this story of adolescence, friendship and sex, the narrator throws in our face these realities, often times heartbreaking. The truck crash, the death of a granddaughter, hell even the slaughtering of pigs. Even when the characters are confronted with these realities, they don't bring them up (for the most part). For example, Tencho passing by the birthplace of his nanny, or Luisa having cancer. Finally, when Tencho & Julio are drunk, they admit things to each other, things that previously had made them feel shame, and they bond over it, and end up kissing (possibly more) during a threesome with Luisa.This is their reality, and when they wake up they feel extreme shame, possibly even disgust. After the trip they avoid each other in order to avoid their realities. I'm not necessarily sure whether this was Cuarón's intention for this story of Julio, Tencho and Luisa to be such a juxtaposition to both their realities and the realities around them, but that's something I got from the film. It was really fascinating and hit on multiple levels.

  • @MemerDad

    @MemerDad

    5 жыл бұрын

    Phillip Anthony I just can't express my feelings about this movie. So beautiful, so deep

  • @DiegoProgressive
    @DiegoProgressive5 жыл бұрын

    1:52 I think Cuarón was already thinking about Roma

  • @amazingabby25

    @amazingabby25

    3 жыл бұрын

    Yes, I believe so, what a genius he is

  • @HowToWatchMovies
    @HowToWatchMovies6 жыл бұрын

    Dude... Your channel is filling so many giant holes in the film conversation, here on KZread. Thank you for putting in the work.

  • @ashikana21
    @ashikana213 жыл бұрын

    The class differences remind me of Blue Is The Warmest Color. In the US, people look at Mexico as being poorer and underprivileged while Tenoch is a clear example of upper middle class rearing. People in the US also think everyone in France is sophisticated and chic when there are people like Adèle who are not poor but more simple and don't partake in intellectual discourse. It's a class distinction between Adèle and Emma and Tenoch and Julio. People of different nationalities don't belong to a large monolith of people that are indistinguishable from each other. That's why I love these types of films.

  • @lavendersvenus

    @lavendersvenus

    2 жыл бұрын

    Tenoch is part of the 1% lol. His dad is a known official that gets invited to politician's parties, and got flown out to Vancouver bc of a scandal. His family has a shit ton of indigenous workers, and he says a shit ton of racist shit about them. His perspective is that of rich white Mexicans. Julio said in the movie that he deserves to go to trips with Tenoch bc the money that takes him there is stolen, hinting at Tenoch dad being corrupt. I guess this project is similar to Roma in that "class system" part.

  • @chagoyaman
    @chagoyaman4 жыл бұрын

    Watching Y tu mamá tambien (my all time favorite movie) feels like meeting with dear old friends. No other movie has affected me like this one. Great video!

  • @Littlestraincloud
    @Littlestraincloud4 жыл бұрын

    This is your most recent video. I just wanted to say, there aren't many women doing video essays out there and I love your fresh and unique perspective. If you have more video essays in you, well, I've subscribed and I'd love to see more.

  • @carmenponce5227
    @carmenponce52276 жыл бұрын

    I adore the narration in this movie, particularly bc of the actor who narrates it (Daniel Giménes Cacho).

  • @mando8540

    @mando8540

    4 жыл бұрын

    carmen ponce Whaaat? That was him? I hadn’t noticed. That’s crazy🤯

  • @jongon0848

    @jongon0848

    4 жыл бұрын

    He was also the lead in Cuaron's first feature film "Solo Con Tu Pareja"

  • @ismaelcebrianmarco7288
    @ismaelcebrianmarco72885 жыл бұрын

    an omniscient narrator is one of the key characteristics of the literary realism (from the XIX century). I have no idea if that was Cuaron's inspiration, but I love the narration in this film (it also plays a mayor role in the last scene)

  • @lucasa_0485

    @lucasa_0485

    2 жыл бұрын

    I agree. It reminded me a lot of the literary world too and it certainly helped the movie become richer thematically in my opinion. It also has a ‘Goodfellas’ type to it, given not only the nature of the movie being that of two guys hanging out (simplistically) and the constant mention of details that may seem irrelevant at first but to give a certain kind of impression about the characters and not only contextualize what goes on but also develops the characters even further, challenging the viewer to think about them more (Luisa’s quiz results being one of the clearest examples). I feel like it also derives from Garcia Marquez’s literature, in a similar style to the narrator in ‘Cronica de una muerte anunciada’

  • @BensWatchClub
    @BensWatchClub2 жыл бұрын

    I'd love to see more of these videos if you return at some point. Great job.

  • @NickVanHouse
    @NickVanHouse3 жыл бұрын

    Also the contrast of the Character of darker complexion and has an Aztec name is the Upper class person while Julio is the blonde blue eyed character who is of lower class.

  • @mlizarburu

    @mlizarburu

    9 ай бұрын

    Those small details I also noticed. I really love this movie. Alfonso Cuaran is a genius who really loves the art of directing. I noticed many Mexican directors are like this.

  • @freezinginferno2106
    @freezinginferno21067 ай бұрын

    i took an Italian and a latin film courses in my last year of university, I watched most of the films on 2x speed just to get throught them but some of these films defenitely stuck with me, city of god is now my favourite film of all time, you convinced me to rewatch this movie with the attention it deserves

  • @MonoahMono
    @MonoahMono6 жыл бұрын

    Love it ! Definitely textbook teaching material can’t wait for more videos like these

  • @jaancarlo
    @jaancarlo3 жыл бұрын

    I always re-visit this video. It was very beautifully made; fitting for the film it talks about.

  • @jorgetrevino2271
    @jorgetrevino22713 жыл бұрын

    As a Mexican from DF, I can tell you something, i can easily identify as then uni guy to these fellow guys, I could have been them, I was quite close to be one of them travelling south in search of adventure and youth. That was my uni generation, that was the normal, travelling south in the search of adventure and life. Yes, I still can cry out those times. Where I left my uni mates? Where are they? What do I have become? I miss my friends, I miss my beautiful sexi girls friends looking for a kiss. Now I'm sad. I want them all back 😪

  • @carlalfaroh
    @carlalfaroh4 жыл бұрын

    I loved this Review and analysis, we needed a Channel like this on YT ♥️

  • @Totsibishi
    @Totsibishi5 жыл бұрын

    the movie is amazing and inspiring loved your break down

  • @afasico9669
    @afasico96698 ай бұрын

    I just wanted to point out that an omniscient narrator is one of the defining characteristics of literary realism, at least in literature in Spanish.

  • @brickwallpictures
    @brickwallpictures6 жыл бұрын

    Really cool topic to analyze

  • @livingiseasywitheyesclosed4553
    @livingiseasywitheyesclosed45532 жыл бұрын

    should i watch this movie? I surely should

  • @aidanlenz1943
    @aidanlenz19436 жыл бұрын

    Really good video!

  • @jordanarcher2338
    @jordanarcher23386 жыл бұрын

    Great video!!

  • @billt5410
    @billt54103 жыл бұрын

    I hear the same narrative when I was a kid sitting in backseat looking out the window.

  • @Dragondude2525
    @Dragondude2525 Жыл бұрын

    I wish more people knew of and would discuss this movie.

  • @noahconstantine8409
    @noahconstantine84096 ай бұрын

    Please come back!!! Or at least update us on what you have done! We are all very curious!!

  • @coachaidan5500
    @coachaidan55004 жыл бұрын

    you really should come back and make more videos

  • @meganchen1999
    @meganchen19996 жыл бұрын

    Love this video and movie!

  • @ru57927
    @ru579274 жыл бұрын

    The best voiceover narration in our generation: Narcos season 1 & 2

  • @MultiAarsh
    @MultiAarsh5 жыл бұрын

    Why are you not making videos anymore? The content was very good

  • @frodobaggins6450

    @frodobaggins6450

    5 жыл бұрын

    According to her Linkedin, she is now an intern in a studio. I guess she's getting into film-making.

  • @wetguavass
    @wetguavass5 жыл бұрын

    El Buki

  • @ineluctablemodality
    @ineluctablemodality3 жыл бұрын

    Reminded me of "Berlin Alexanderplatz" by Fassbinder (although the narration there is mostly quotes from book). If you want a good series, don't hesitate to watch it!

  • @ymeddie11
    @ymeddie114 жыл бұрын

    The narration reminded me of hunterxhunter which made me enjoy it more

  • @lucasricardi1092
    @lucasricardi10923 жыл бұрын

    I love this channel, i wonder what happened?? 😔💕

  • @osamudiamenamienghomwan8831

    @osamudiamenamienghomwan8831

    3 жыл бұрын

    Me too! I hope she's ok and returns soon.

  • @krombopulosmichael6734
    @krombopulosmichael67343 жыл бұрын

    Who makes this channel, do you have an email? Regards Sam

  • @matthewd86
    @matthewd865 жыл бұрын

    What is the guitar song at 7:30

  • @jafeth5451

    @jafeth5451

    4 жыл бұрын

    BiGSaM - معي

  • @provian
    @provian6 жыл бұрын

    not really a fan of narration in general. however i find the use of caine's narration in parts of the prestige well done whereas say blade runner terrible

  • @merovech7
    @merovech7 Жыл бұрын

    Hope you are well and return soon

  • @aminasworld8524
    @aminasworld85244 жыл бұрын

    الله يعطيك العافيه 🥬🥬🥬🥦⁦❤️⁩⁦❤️⁩⁦❤️⁩

  • @simonagrugger1097

    @simonagrugger1097

    3 жыл бұрын

    alak güdzil meynek

  • @simonagrugger1097

    @simonagrugger1097

    3 жыл бұрын

    !!

  • @JorgeGarcia-jw7ct
    @JorgeGarcia-jw7ct5 жыл бұрын

    Spanish subtitles please:'(, i'm mexican

  • @JorgeGarcia-jw7ct
    @JorgeGarcia-jw7ct5 жыл бұрын

    Ammm, spanish subtitles, please?

  • @raymondnewton2388
    @raymondnewton23882 жыл бұрын

    One of the saddest films.

  • @miguelvidal2335
    @miguelvidal23353 жыл бұрын

    5:14

  • @upiicsaevenado
    @upiicsaevenado4 жыл бұрын

    Good analysis and nice typography, but the background music ruins all. It does not fit with the voice over narration. The magic breaks.