Introduction
Films are crafted for various purposes but most importantly, most films have a message for the audience (Fernandes 2008 p 41). The message may be explicitly stated and clearly cut throughout the movie though the ideas may also be metaphorically placed. More often than not, the filmmakers hope to achieve reactions from the audience and also expect the viewers to reexamine the traditions and values in the play (Fernandes 2008 p 29). The paper will focus on two films that were crafted to portray the struggles of women.The films, Portrait of Teresa and Salt of the Earth highlights the women’s rights movement. Women have been sidelined by the society and did not can enjoy similar rights as their male counterparts. Some women are even incapable of speaking in front of the males and some lack voting rights. As a matter of fact, everyone desires to be free and liberated. It is with such realization that important movements’ have continuously been established to change the society (Shaw and Stephanie 2005 p 155).
Portrait of Teresa is a classic Cuban drama film that was released in 1979 (Fernandes 2008 p 32). It demonstrates the problems and struggles of women in Cuba under the revolution. Daisy Granados skillfully plays the role of Teresa in the film and even won an award in Moscow. She plays a leading role in the film, and she has a husband named Roman and three sons. She is a Cuban woman and has several roles including that of a wife, mother, factory worker and social fighter. She secures a job in a factory as a cultural secretary. Her husband becomes unhappy and jealous because of her new responsibilities at the factory. From the film, it is evident that Teresa is overwhelmed and has mixed feelings. Her husband expects more of her attention whereas she wants domestic peace and also desires to control her life. The above clearly demonstrates how the women are controlled by a given male establishment, and it is a condition that ensures all over the world. Also, some women limit themselves because of their stereotypical view of themselves (Shaw and Stephanie 2005 p 155).
One of the film’s significant “portraits” is the hard work incorporated by Teresa while undertaking her daily routine. Teresa rises very early in the morning and leaves her husband in bed. She goes ahead to prepare breakfast and performs all the household chores. Later on she goes to work and on returning home, she prepares supper and washes the dishes. The film portrays women’s “double day” standards since they perform tasks both at home and in the workplace. In this case, Teresa has responsibilities both at home and in the Factory. It is exhausting for the women but, unfortunately, the men do not seem to appreciate their efforts.
In one of the scenes, Teresa’s husband Roman has an affair. Teresa questions him and asks “what if I had an affair?”.Roman is quick to defend his position and argues that he is a man and as such he is entitled to do so. It is indeed shocking. In most cases, the wives are often expected to put up with the injustices committed against them by their men (Shaw and Stephanie 2005 p 171). However in this case, Teresa separated with Roman, and she was left behind with the duty of providing for the children. Several scenes in the film bring out the roles that the women play in the lives of their children. In one of the pictures, Teresa is seen dancing with her son after Roman exited the family. Mothers play a significant role in nurturing the children and also teach the children proper values. It is indeed important because the children are indeed the leaders of the future generation.
Different measures were put in place by the Cuban state in order to reduce the discrimination against the women. The increase in sexual discrimination against the women led to the establishment of a law known as the Family Code. The bill was passed by the Cuban State officials in 1975 and sought to make child care and household maintenance the joint responsibility of the husband and the wife. The main motive of the family code was to free women hence give them an opportunity to serve in mass organization. Consequently, the bill also encouraged the women to join the workforce (Fernandes 2008 p 32). The film “Portrait of Teresa” clearly portrays of the women of Cuba and the revolution that took in place in Cuba (Amaya 2010 p 162).
Salt of the Earth focuses on issues surrounding the labour strikes and the problems existing between the men and women. The protagonist in the film is Esperanza Quintero. The story illustrates the increasing engagement of the miner’s wives in strikes. The women and wives are often taken for granted. The film strongly challenges the male pride and recognizes that women are equally important as the men and hence should be held in high regard (Welsch et. al 2005 p 167). Esperanza actively engages in the strikes though her husband disapproves of it. The women indulge in strikes in order to defend their husband’s rights, and this is a clear indication of the sacrifices the women can make. The law disallowed men from participating in the strike, and hefty fines were charged to the men found indulging in strikes. The women’s decision to awaken political consciousness is critical in the story (Shaw and Stephanie 2005 p 166).
Further, Esperanza attempts to make her husband understand the women’s position, and she likens the racism of Ramon’s bosses with the male supremacy at home. Subsequently, in one of the scenes, the bosses had attempted to evict the Quinteros. As a result, there was a collective action by the community in order to stop the eviction. It signified the community’s rejection of vices such as discrimination, racism and sexism (Shaw and Stephanie 2005 p 166). Also, Salt of the Earth highlights the poor working conditions that the workers at the mining experience. What makes the film Salt of the Earth to be powerful and fascinating is the dual focus that exists at the heart of the film. Not only does it entail issues of female equality and women’s rights, it also runs against the dominant American politics of that period.
Similarities
Teresa’s role in the Cuban society and that of Esperanza Quintero are indeed similar since in both cases the women are the lead characters. The two women both play a significant role in trying to bring justice and fairness in the society. The two films share similar ideologies and the opening scenes immediately establish the conflicts existing between the men and the women. In both, the two cases, the men tend to downplay the women, and this can be seen when Teresa secures a job as a secretary. Her husband becomes jealous and unhappy. Additionally, in both the films, there was a transition of power, and this is evident when Teresa and her husband separated, she remains with the children and even plays the role of mother and father. In Salt of the earth, Esperanza indulges herself in a union strike. Moreover, this is because her husband could not strike because the law did not allow the men to strike (Welsch et. al 2005 p 167).
Just like Portrait of Teresa, Salt of the Earth also advocates equality between the men and the women. In both films, it is evident that the women do not like the idea of being sidelined especially when important issues are being made (Matthews 1997 p 220).Both Teresa and Esperanza were docile wives until certain events gave them an eye-opening. In Teresa’s case, is when she received her job promotion and in Esperanza’s case, when she took part in a strike. Both Teresa and Esperanza have leadership qualities, and this is seen evident from the way they tackle issues and the struggles they undergo to achieve equality. They are both resilient.
Therefore, the culture of the contemporary women’s movement can thus be traced back to these two films. The women have a vision, and it is their desire to achieve their rights that lead them to fight for their rights. The filmmakers wanted to communicate to its audience, the idea that women can also excel in other roles. The two films are indeed relevant to today’s society since some women can relate to them while tackling inequality issues. Relating to such films indeed encourages the women to understand that there is indeed light at the end of every dark tunnel.
Differences
Inasmuch as the two films highlights women rights issues, Salt of the Earth also points out the discrimination against the workers of Delaware Zinc Company. The Portrait of Teresa majorly focuses on the injustices committed against the women hence the establishment of various women movements. Salt of the Earth focuses on the Society at large and even advocates for the rights of workers. There are many sacrifices in Salt of the Earth as compared to Portrait of Teresa. Esperanza sacrifices and even engages in a strike on behalf of her husband. She even accepted to give out her radio that she cherishes dearly. On the other hand, Teresa declines to forgive her husband when she learnt that he was having an affair.
Conclusion
The struggles undertaken be Teresa and Esperanza indeed bore fruit since women have become bold and secured their positions in the society. Today, the women are continuously being empowered, and different countries have constitutions in which the rights of women are clearly defined. More women are increasingly becoming aware of their rights and are even allowed to make important decisions. The revolutionary movements were necessary since it played a big role in ensuring that the women got equal opportunities like their male counterparts. It has enhanced and increased the number of women taking part in leadership and also being hired for the white collar jobs. Also, the number of women attaining college and university degrees has increased. It is, therefore, important for the women to be treated with dignity and respect alongside their male counterparts. The law should jealously guard the rights of women and thus ensure protection of women rights. When a woman becomes successful, the entire Nation succeeds, and this ensures economic growth and increased productivity.
Works Cited
Amaya, Hector. Screening Cuba: Film Criticism As Political Performance During the Cold War. Urbana: the University of Illinois Press, 2010. Internet resources.
Fernandes, Sujatha. Cuba Represent!: Cuban Arts, State Power, and the Making of New Revolutionary Cultures. Durham: Duke University Press, 2008. Internet resources.
Matthews, Jean V. Women's Struggle for Equality: The First Phase, 1828-1876. Chicago: Dee, 1997. Print.
Shaw, Lisa, and Stephanie Dennison. Latin American Cinema: Essays on Modernity, Gender and National Identity. , 2005. Internet resources .
Welsch, Janice R, and J Q. Adams. Multicultural Films: A Reference Guide. Westport, Conn: Greenwood Press, 2005. Print.
