Story two in the film ‘La Ciudad’, started with the scene of the protagonist, Francisco, as a child at a photoshoot. Francisco seems timid and shy when asked to look up and smile for the photo. However, Francisco was surrounded by the support of his family, as they encourage and cheer him to stay still and smile for the photo. This gives me the sense that his family is always there for him at times he would need them most. The film fast forwards to the protagonist as a young man in a strange city far away from home in search of his uncle. Upon Francisco’s arrival, the city seemed like a concrete jungle and navigating was very hard since everywhere looks exactly alike. Although he was in a neighborhood which is dominantly Hispanic, he felt lost. In search of his uncle, Francisco started wondering the streets until Mexican music lured him into a place.
Francisco followed the music which led him to a festive Mexican party. At the party, there were white lights, balloons, and festive Mexicana decorations with cultural music. The Hispanics there were dancing, singing, laughing, and having a good time. Although Francisco was lost, the scene of the party made him feel at home; “I feel like I’m back home. The music, the dancing, the people” (8:02-13). Francisco felt like “the city has disappeared” (7:42) and he was in “Mexico” (8:19). It was the very first moment he smiled expressing his happiness to the sense of feeling at home even though he was in a strange space, due to the Hispanic surrounding. At the party, Francisco met a young woman named Maria, who migrated to the US from his home as well.
Immediately following the scene of the party, Maria invited Francisco to her home since he was lost and had no where else to go. Maria’s home was different from the party and its festivity as it offered more of an intimate atmosphere. When Francisco entered Maria’s home, he started lookingat the pictures, paintings and ornaments around the apartment that again reminded him of home. This made Francisco feel a bit more comfortable and optimistic about his stay in the new city. When ask by Maria “what are you going to do here” (14:20), Francisco responded unsure yet hopeful, “I don’t know. Fine my uncle. Look for a job. Save money and build a home. Have some fun” (14:24-35). Maria gave the impression that it isn’t as easy as it sounds.
Immigrants who often travel to new cities have trouble in settling, this includes getting a place to stay, finding a good paying job, and learning the city so mobility can be easy. Immigrants often travel with a high expectation of becoming successful in the land of opportunities. However, when they arrive, they learned it is not as easy as they thought it to be. Some, if not most immigrants, often experience struggles in attaining the life and dreams portrayed by the media in first world countries. Fortunately, the harsh conditions they experience build and reveals their inner strengths to sustain themselves no matter the circumstance.
