Back to the Future
Relatively short(er) post below is sort of afterthoughts addenda to two recent much longer ones.
BACK TO THE FUTURE Just had another epiphany about PARIENTES A LA FUERZA: Posters for George Cruz movies in very first episode foreshadow film genres played with in novela. Include comedy, action/crime/thriller, zombie/ghost/living dead "el virus que se comio a todos", Teen "peace and love" in Los Angeles, blindfold PROOF OF LIFE/love is blind? Maybe Samurai/martial arts--been lots of visual & verbal tigers--CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON? www.Telemundo.com redirects to www.NBC.com App for all episodes (so far) On Demand. https://youtu.be/Pvk-j4KLhEQ
At bottom of this post are list of actual well-known now classic movies I feel are referenced in PARIENTES A LA FUERZA--series that could be called "a Hollywood love story" (that is to say, appealing to movie lovers), enjoyable on so many levels. One fun game for perceptive viewers is spotting allusions to films "quoted" sometimes visually, thematically, or in dialogue translation of movie title or catch phrase--very fitting in story about a Hollywood screenwriter to show how entertainment permeates our thoughts, world views & beliefs.
If you prefer to watch a telenovela with a completely "blank slate" approach, avoiding any trace or whiff of possible spoiler, then only read down to x'd line. But I actually feel that many reading this may not be familiar with most of the films. If you watch, or at least research descriptions of titles on list, by the time reference (often very brief) rolls around, you can then have some info stored somewhere in your brain to be able to recognize the clever allusion, "quote", homage or tribute.
To me, such alerts to pay attention are more "preview of coming attractions" than true spoiler.
https://www.contactmusic.com/guillermo-del-toro/news/labyrinth-director-wrote-his-own-subtitles_1021894 Knowing Spanish can really help audience understand what writers meant in their original dialogue when using extended verbal and visual metaphors. Mexican director Guillermo del Toro provided his own subtitles for PAN'S LABYRINTH after previous film "translation" resulted in what he described "for the thinking impaired--incredibly bad".
In (I think) episode 62, character tells of having life-changing "revelation" using idiom "Caer el veinte" (British: the penny dropped; USA: "Light bulb moment" Light went on/Something clicked).
Also noticed both Leti and Tania have forcefully tapped their long nails on table when threatening someone. Might that be illustration of phrases "ensenar/mostrar las unas" (to show one's claws/teeth) or "estar de unas con alguien" (to be at daggers drawn with someone)? I personally don't like long nails--seem either unhygienic or proof that someone can't or doesn't do much useful work, reasons why Chinese emperor had very long nails. Noticed lately (around Ep. 60) lots of expressions referring to cats and other felines...both woman are "catty".
Browsing e-book preview of STREET-WISE SPANISH SURVIVAL GUIDE by Eleanor Hamer (not sure if identical to her book 3000 Spanish Words and Phrases They Won't Teach You in School), I came across idiom that reminds me of scene where Tania--Titania, a moon of Uranus?--is significantly dressed all in white when she refuses to takes sides (or at least pretends not to) in studio conflict. Example given: "Ernesto no da color en el problema de la herencia. (Ernesto takes no sides in this business of the inheritance)." This is followed by "Lalo, eres muy aguado. Ni pintas, ni das color. (Lalo, you're so wishy-washy. You can't decide one way or the other.)" I'm wondering if that's what some of the many visual and verbal references in PALF to water and wetness may indicate...won't be more specific here as maybe sorta spoiler.
I also just realized that English word "Sunflower" (Yuli wears black top with sunflower print; blooms also appear in cartoon-like entrada to PALF) "en espanol es GIRASOL"--which literally means sun-turner, another reference to something that orbits a sun, another word for a star (figuratively, Carmen).
Costumes in PALF alternative universe are amusingly creative--Tommy apparently has interest in fashion (or at least borrows his sister's sweater and somebody's electric blue suit in first episode, tho that could mean more he's an undifferentiated twin or mama's boy). Wonder if he may get into career track like Los Angeles school FIDM, Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising. Downtown LA campus has statue of winged angel at entrance wearing cat face mask (referring to fashion show "cat walk"?) By the way, Grand Central Market nearby has hog's head sculpture on Broadway side.
During first year of pandemic quarantine, I spent time knitting (something even the blind can do) and crocheting while listening to audio books. But books on best-seller and "recommended for book group" lists mostly failed to engage me, so I began re-watching classic telenovelas. Then--hallelujah--just the sort of program I'd been wishing for appeared, in PARIENTES A LA FUERZA.
Going into second year of pandemic quarantine, studying language new to you is productive use of time spent staying home. If you're tired of baking sour dough bread (another common quarantine pastime that may've resulted in quarantine weight gain), maybe learn to knit or crochet, getting head start on Christmas or other gifts valued more for being made by your hands and heart. Repetitive projects can be good when listening to language learning recordings (public libraries often have free online courses). Amusing and helpful Book BREAKING OUT OF BEGINNER'S SPANISH also recommends listening to songs with lyrics in Spanish; libraries also may provide free access.
Inspired by LA MENTIRA, I knit baby blanket I re-named "Agave Solaria" seen in photo to use as lapghan, changing color from Sunshine yellow to match agave fields (which matched color of Demetrio's shirt). "Solaria" pattern is by one of my favorite designers, whose work explores new ways to be creative using knitting & crochet, often inspired by nature. https://blog.berroco.com/2013/02/21/get-to-know-berroco-norah-gaughan/
I wish pattern for pale green crochet baby blanket was available (seen toward end of LA MENTIRA, apparently made by housekeeper who was like grandmother for Veronica and who promised to "tejer" layette for baby upon learning that she and Demetrio, in his words, "estamos embarasados"/"we're pregnant"--he's so cute!) which seemed specifically designed for novela with leaves--emblem of "new life" on Family Tree--and "v" stitch representing important initial "V" broche/broach clue in story. Whoever crocheted Lara's floral and striped tops in PARIENTES A LA FUERZA (Mama Rosa?) might make baby blanket, perhaps like simple "rainbow ripple" star-shaped one--pattern by Celeste Young free on Ravelry website--to tie-in with story's symbolism.
Just got email from Yarnspirations punning about "Alter ego" classic knit & crochet projects given new look with innovative O'Go yarn (for those who--unlike me--haven't yet made enough hats, blankets, socks, tote bags, etcetera to maybe last your lifetime). As thematic tie-ins to PARIENTES A LA FUERZA, brightly colored "Red Heart Kaleidoscope Throw" reminds me of when Juancho held one of George's awards up to his eye (also Kaleidoscope-inspired chapter in SPIDERWEB FOR TWO: a Melendy Maze by Elizabeth Enright, about a poetic tricky treasure hunt). Another more challenging crochet project is "Red Heart Aran Hearts Throw O'Go" (hearts each have 26 bobbles, by one count, there may be at least 26 extended family members combining eventual residents of Cruz home).
Below is excerpt from query I'm thinking of posting on a movie buffs forum online elsewhere.
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Famous movie (or TV show) "quoted" by scene would be along level of other movies alluded to earlier, sometimes visually, thematically, or by translation of movie title or catch phrase (very fitting in story about a Hollywood screenwriter to show how entertainment permeates our thoughts, world views & beliefs).
So far "tributes" include Midnight Cowboy, Love Story, A Star is Born, Girl Who Kicked the Hornets Nest, Road to Perdition, Ocean's 11, Cantinflas, Amores Perros, Shampoo, Ghost, Edward Scissorhands, 101 Dalmations, Proof of Life, Singin' in the Rain, Star Wars, Toy Story, Babe the Gallant Pig, Pretty Woman, Ugly Bety, Reina Del Sur, Dona Flor & Her Two Husbands, Black Orpheus, perhaps Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, and of course, King Kong.
I haven't seen 2001: A Space Odyssey in a long time, but that might be film I'm looking for, if alluded to in a very creative way (and I do feel PARIENTES A LA FUERZA is amazingly imaginative).
