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América

Name: América
Director: Chase Whiteside, Erick Stoll
Released: 2018
Duration: 75 min

Representation Score

5.8/10

Fair

2018

Director

Chase Whiteside, Erick Stoll

Runtime

75 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

América is a character-driven documentary that provides an authentic glimpse into a Mexican family without relying on external or tourist perspectives. By focusing on the brothers' performances and their care for their grandmother, the film offers a genuine look at life in Colima. The film excels in giving characters of color significant roles and celebrating communal interdependence over Western individualism. However, it lacks representation of LGBTQ+ identities and disabilities, and its narrative structure may seem narrow to those seeking broader perspectives on diversity.

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Category Breakdown

Does América have LGBTQ+ representation?

Fair

The film focuses on the close relationship between three brothers and their grandmother. There is no direct mention of LGBTQ+ characters or stories involving non-straight identities.

How does América portray gender?

Fair

The main characters are male, but the story centers around the matriarch, América. This focus highlights the importance of female wisdom and emotional support, challenging traditional patriarchal structures.

How racially and ethnically diverse is América?

Excellent

The documentary offers an authentic, inside look at a Mexican family in Colima. It avoids negative stereotypes and emphasizes the characters' professional achievements and unique talents.

How does América represent religion and culture?

Good

The film highlights a localized, non-Western cultural structure. It celebrates communal cooperation and non-traditional activities like acrobatics and stilt-walking over individualistic Western pursuits.

Does América include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no information about the portrayal of physical or neurodivergent disabilities in the film.

Present on Screen

Characters of color play significant roles through an internal, non-touristic Mexican perspective.
Challenges traditional patriarchal structures by centering the matriarch as the family's emotional anchor.
Celebrates non-traditional lifestyles and communal interdependence over Western individualism.

Limited or Absent

No direct representation or narratives involving LGBTQ+ identities.
No visible representation of physical or neurodivergent disabilities.

Official Synopsis

This sparkling, irreverent, and deeply emotional piece of creative nonfiction announces the arrival of a standout filmmaking partnership. When their father is hauled away, a colorful trio of brothers — a sibling team to rival Moe, Larry, and Curly — step up to take care of América, their grandmother, in Colima, Mexico. Rodrigo, Diego, and Bruno are stilt-walkers and acrobats and Elvis impersonators and unicycle riders — when not running the family's agriculture warehouse. With a loose, offhanded charm, Stoll and Whiteside capture the family’s natural performative streak in a way that makes even the most explosive, dramatic moments feel organic. The endearing, genuine scenes between Diego and his grandmother celebrate the possibility of multigenerational connection.

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