It seems to be like the Mariel boat lift created some super negative images and stereotypes of Cubans entering the US since many of these people came from jail. Fidel mentions that Cuba does not want them since they are unwilling to contribute to the revolution. Thousands of people packed onto boats to travel to the US in hopes of a better life. Based off of the interactions between the white US citizens and the Cuban immigrants and the reaction to the riots (as portrayed in the movie), the people of the US who are caucasian were never going to see the Cubans as citizens or even people with basic rights.
Al Pacino is from New York and his parents are immigrants from Italy (he has no Latin American heritage). I find it interesting that the first time we see Tony Montana he has on a floral shirt. Very tropical and exotic. He is a construction worker which is stereotypical. The questions they ask him when he gets to the US are extremely prejudiced. Tony's lines about Communism and being "a political prisoner from Cuba" give insight to the issues of the boat lift. Tony is willing to say anything to stay in the US and influences others to tell stories to be able to enter as well. "I'd kill a Communist for fun, but for a green card, I gonna carve him up real nice." Tony works in a stand that sells Cuban food. The sign is in Spanish and their clientele appear to be Cubans. Tony says "I didn't come to the United States to break my f***king back." This quote seems to speak to the Cuban immigrant experience in the US, as many people who came as political exiles were very well off in their country but had to start all over in the United States. It is interesting that Tony and his friend mention the man across the street and his friend says "I mean, look at the way he dresses. Come on. That's style, flash, pizzazz." This goes back to the idea that looking rich by having fancy clothes and material items is valued in society. Tony does not have the opportunity to move up a social class without resorting to violence or drug deals. They mention another group of Latin Americans, the Colombians (who are of course dealing cocaine). Tony does not like Colombians (tension between men from different Latin American countries). The movie shows violence between Latin Americans with the goal of becoming successful in the US.
Elvira says that Tony came from Cuba in a banana boat and asks if he is part of the Cuban crime operations and he replies that he is a political refugee. Tony mentions that if he had come to Miami ten years ago he could've had his own boat by now. Tony's mom does not approve of the way he makes his money because she says he is giving Cubans a bad name. He values money and thinks that giving it to his family will solve all their problems.
Al Pacino is from New York and his parents are immigrants from Italy (he has no Latin American heritage). I find it interesting that the first time we see Tony Montana he has on a floral shirt. Very tropical and exotic. He is a construction worker which is stereotypical. The questions they ask him when he gets to the US are extremely prejudiced. Tony's lines about Communism and being "a political prisoner from Cuba" give insight to the issues of the boat lift. Tony is willing to say anything to stay in the US and influences others to tell stories to be able to enter as well. "I'd kill a Communist for fun, but for a green card, I gonna carve him up real nice." Tony works in a stand that sells Cuban food. The sign is in Spanish and their clientele appear to be Cubans. Tony says "I didn't come to the United States to break my f***king back." This quote seems to speak to the Cuban immigrant experience in the US, as many people who came as political exiles were very well off in their country but had to start all over in the United States. It is interesting that Tony and his friend mention the man across the street and his friend says "I mean, look at the way he dresses. Come on. That's style, flash, pizzazz." This goes back to the idea that looking rich by having fancy clothes and material items is valued in society. Tony does not have the opportunity to move up a social class without resorting to violence or drug deals. They mention another group of Latin Americans, the Colombians (who are of course dealing cocaine). Tony does not like Colombians (tension between men from different Latin American countries). The movie shows violence between Latin Americans with the goal of becoming successful in the US.
Elvira says that Tony came from Cuba in a banana boat and asks if he is part of the Cuban crime operations and he replies that he is a political refugee. Tony mentions that if he had come to Miami ten years ago he could've had his own boat by now. Tony's mom does not approve of the way he makes his money because she says he is giving Cubans a bad name. He values money and thinks that giving it to his family will solve all their problems.
The consumption of entertainment and alcohol is used to mask the criminal acts of violence that have been going on throughout the movie. Tony’s lavish lifestyle in a fancy club comes face to face with the reality of his situation, that he is a gangster who gets into shootouts and helps drug deals. Tony’s strives to become rich through his criminal activities finally catch up to him.
“The world is yours” but at what price? Was it worth it to Tony to kill and lose his family in order to get the girl and riches? The music sounds melancholic. Tony has a sling from his injury in the shootout and is holding a gun. He can no longer trust anyone and has betrayed most of his allies. He gets Elvira only after he becomes rich and steals power. Tony finally got his tiger which is an example of the ridiculous things that they felt the need to spend their money on. Tony realizes that he has got to trust and depend on somebody to take care of his money. Tony resists completely, especially since the banker is white (a WASP to be exact). “Nothing exceeds like excess”. Media consumption through the news becomes a problem for Tony and his gang. Elvira gets tired of everything and says she’s going to leave Tony, so his antics end up causing him to lose what he was working for. “You need people like me so you can point your f***king fingers and say, that’s the bad guy”. Tony falls into the trap of US capitalism.
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