CEU Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2024
| Author | Carrera, Laura |
|---|---|
| Title | Young Central American Migrants in Film: Exploring the Perception of the American Dream in Post-Conflict Guatemala |
| Summary | The central research problem revolves around understanding the representation of young Central American migrants in films. Connected to this central inquiry is the exploration of the intersection between dramatic affluence of migrants and the socio-political landscape of post-conflict Guatemala. For this investigation, I will employ film analysis as the primary approach, focusing on two seminal works: "La Jaula de Oro" (2013) by Diego Quemada-Diez and "La vida precoz y breve de Sabina Rivas" (2012) by Luis Mandoki. Through a close examination of these films, it is my aim to unravel the complexities of the migration experience, shedding light on the discrepancies between the idealized vision of the American Dream and the realities faced by those who embark on the journey northward. The major findings highlight the gap between the promise of the American Dream and the experiences of migrants. The American Dream, symbolizing hope and social mobility in a context of insecurity and poverty, fosters a belief I term “Pensamiento migrante” or “migrant thinking.” The films depict the perilous and disillusioning path to social mobility, but despite these portrayals, the Central American diaspora has achieved long-term income stability, job security, and generational wealth gain. |
| Supervisor | Kumar, Sanjay |
| Department | Undergraduate Studies BA |
| Full text | https://www.etd.ceu.edu/2024/carrera_laura.pdf |
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