Ketty Rojas

Film and Culture- Monday; 2pm-9:50pm

07/24/2016
Explain in detail what your favorite class session was and why.

In reality, I really enjoyed all of the movie sessions and discussions as a class. I
appreciate how much information was given to us by our instructor and would let us voice our
opinions. Our instructor would not voice her opinion, but I knew it was best so that not only she
could see what we would discuss with her, but with others. The extra information that were given
to us on Canvas would help us and mainly myself to investigate and educate myself. As for
which session was my favorite, I would have to choose the class that introduced Angels in
America I and II. This movie had many great actors involved such as Meryl Streep and Al
Pacino. I enjoyed seeing their acting and felt the need to watch this at home as well. I was
amazed by the acting of those who played the roles of Prior, Louis, Harper and Joe. Also,
through this movie and class, I was able to analyze how much a movie can have so much
symbolism and metaphors. There was a lot I also had to thoroughly analyze because I felt that I
couldnt understand things right away. However, because of the class discussions, I didnt feel
like I was the only one. I was also reminded of an old song that had a lot of meaning to me when
I was young, while watching this film. I learned overall that we need to be true to ourselves,
because living a lie wont make things easy.
When reading and also hearing some of the different opinions of my classmates, I
realized that there was a couple of things we would agree on or would see things very differently.
However, no classmate was disrespectful when sharing their opinion. Everyone was very open
minded and very accepting. The way the discussion in class was guided was well done and I felt
that I could voice my opinion easily. But when it came to our discussions via canvas, Id like to
point out a couple that struck me the most- in a good way.
Everyone brought up the point of how some of the actors portrayed several characters.
We couldnt understand why: if there was a low budget and these actors were enough, some

characters had same personality or purpose, or it was supposed to be that way for us to be really
confused. The movie was confusing in some points, but messages did get across. Next, was how
the use of the LDS religion and Judaism was involved. Both religions contrast well and they
were easily the two best religions chosen to bring out the complex feelings regarding
homosexuality. Just as James mentioned in his discussion, homosexuals face pressure to
conform to standard sexual roles in our modern society. And with these two religions at hand,
those members would have to face an even bigger pressure. But this is only a small look at how
their religious beliefs make them have a harder time living. Again, everyone brought up
illnesses (mental/ physical), religious beliefs, sexual orientation and even political views being
how our culture is mainly shaped. As for the title itself, whether we believe in them or not,
symbolism of angels were clear. The nurse who takes care of Prior, gives off an impression of
having had a halo because of the light behind her. And it can also be interpreted that she is an
angel because shes not affected by the things that Prior sees. Such as the floor splitting and a
bible comes out, and all of a sudden she speaks in a different language.
Another main reason why I came to like this session very much, is because gay rights and
such are one of the main subjects on news recently and ongoing. When they linked AIDS to gays,
it reminded me a lot of my childhood and this song that was made back in 1989 by Willie Colon.
This song had a lot of impact and it has a good story. The translation of the lyrics (Spanish) will
not be exactly the same, but I will share the story of the song. In the summer of 1956, Simon
was born in a hospital. This boy was the fathers pride and joy. He made sure he would be
brought up tough and very much like a man. Simon left and changed his way of walking,
dressing and etc. One day, the father came to see him and couldnt recognize his son. After that,
he never spoke to him. Years went by and the father changed his way of thinking and wanted to

know what happened to his son. He got a call from a hospital, and through a strange disease, he
died. That was the story, but at the end, it gives a good lesson. Quit your moralizing and have
pity. Those who are free of sin, should cast the first stone. And he who cannot forgive, will live
with bitter regret. We knew what that strange disease was, but not many would say it out loud.
However, that is how I came to know about AIDS and about gays. It brought a lot of confusion
and we were all badly educated of how this disease could be contracted. Years later, I see how
much has changed, and Im glad that people do not always correlate AIDS and gays. Such
thinking would make them be ostracized and still happens, but not as much compared to before.
Gay rights and gay marriage are being more accepted than a couple of hundred years ago now.
Bullying and great discrimination still occurs, and can easily be hidden or seen through the eyes
of politicians. Their rights will always be in the hands of politicians, and they will always be
careful of their actions.
I also couldnt help but think about what we do now when it comes to the LGBQT
community. We have festivals almost all around and a special day to celebrate LGBQT rights.
We have marriage equality in all states in the USA. We also have marriage equality in foreign
countries. We still struggle with gay couples adopting, but it has become more accepting. When
it comes to coming out, more individuals have been able to. Many have been coming out
through social media, and because everyone is on social media, it has given many a boost or
courage to do so. More clubs involving LGBQT are being made in high schools and get stronger
in college. One of closest friends invited me to join his club at school, nobody wanted to join at
first. But because of his hard work and mine as well, we had a big turn out. And through this, we
would join peaceful protests or do a lot more that would help others be aware of what was
happening to the LGBQT community.

At the same time, this film was one that not many seemed very interested in. When it
comes to politics, religion and homosexuality, it becomes a bad mix. The class however was able
to make something out of it, and did a great job in finding meaning to almost everything they
could find. From previous experience in past classes, not many would have said anything. Its
also very possible because of the instructors way of presenting this subject, or because their
grades are on the line. I believe we could have seen other films as well, to further bring more
attention to what kind of struggle they faced. Such as a recent one, The Danish Girl. Eddie
Redmayne did a wonderful job portraying the life of Lili Elbe and Alicia Vikander who was
Gerda Wegener. I was concerned about how this movie would turn out, but it was well done.
Although it was supposed to be based on a true story, and had some deviation from the real story,
it portrayed the feelings of one person, representing many. Lili, who wanted to be a woman
physically and who had hopes of giving birth to a child with his (her) beloved. This was the kind
of film that many needed to see, is what I felt. Its not just about surgery, just how others want to
look perfect to make themselves seem more beautiful. This movie focused on the surgery so that
Lili may be the person she knew she was, but unfortunately was not born with the right organs.
I appreciated that I could learn a lot from others with this class and on this subject, or in
this case- several subjects. I had to focus on understanding the symbolism and other signs.
Deciphering hidden messages are hard, and sometimes being from another country, I do not
understand everything. I couldnt see everything or almost everything everyone else saw, but I
appreciate the discussion that helped me. Things are now different than the old times, and we are
more accepting, minus the exception of a couple of groups in society. Conservative groups are
still struggling to change things, but this movie gave a good lesson and was eye opening. I still
think that we should add another movie to see after this one. That way it isnt just focused on

several other things, but that we could give an emphasis on another subject, such as
transgenderism and complications. Next time, I would also like to hear more of our instructors
opinion. Overall, this was my favorite session of the class in the semester.