Category: Spanish-Highlight

  • Meet our Spanish Departmental Assistant: Itzell Martinez

      Hi, my name is Itzell Martinez, I am a senior pre-dental Spanish major and LALACS minor here at Gustavus. On campus I am involved in the tri sigma sorority, secretary and publicist for the pre-dental club, OLAS, and a Gustie Greeter. I am from Maplewood, MN and this year I have the pleasure of…

  • 5th Gustavus Latinx Film Festival: Ema, a Woman on Fire

      The film “Ema” starts with a fire. Specifically, it begins with the visage of a burning stoplight, and the screen pans out to reveal a woman holding a blowtorch. This woman, Ema, is setting fire to the streets. The film, directed by Juan de Dios Larraín, tells the story of this fire-starter, a dancer…

  • Guie’Dani’s Navel : 5th Gustavus Latinx Film Festival

    The film, Guie’Dani’s Navel is a story quite different from others in its category with a strikingly intense main character. The movie is directed and written by Xavi Sala who portrays a story of a young girl rebelling her reality while yearning for more than servitude. The film uses long silences that may seem dull…

  • Neither Hero Nor Traitor : 5th Gustavus Latinx Film Festival

      The film Ni Héroe ni Traidor, directed by Nicolas Savignone, is a powerful look into the pressures on a young Argentinian thrown into the conflict over the Falkland Islands with Great Britain in 1982. Initially, the audience is introduced to the protagonist, Matias, who is in the midst of a life typical to that…

  • Perro Bomba: : 5th Gustavus Latinx Film Festival

    Despite being the directorial debut of Juan Cáceres, Perro bomba manages to present an  extremely compelling and nuanced look at the vulnerabilities experienced by Haitian immigrants  in Chile. The film follows Steevens, an established Haitian immigrant who, at first glance, seems  to be leading a reasonably comfortable life. He has friends, a job, a roof…

  • Birds of Passage: 5th Gustavus Latinx Film Festival

    Pájaros de verano (Cristina Gallego and Ciro Guerra) is an indigenous narrative, detailing the corrosion of a native Wayuu family caught within the 1970s drug trade. This film is not meant to be an easy watch, but a slow digestion that leaves the audience craving more about Colombia’s economic and social situation. After viewing the…

  • The Voice of Our Majors

    Melanie Eggler graduates from our Spanish Teaching Program. She will soon have students of her own and will inspire generations to learn Spanish and learn about the world. Congratulations Melanie!!! Amelia Espinosa graduates with majors in Political Science, International Relations, and Spanish and a minor in Peace, Justice, and Conflict Studies. Amelia has earn many…

  • Crisis in Venezuela: Screening of La Soledad

    La Soledad is an interesting and complex film of a personal narrative within the wider societal context of Venezuela. This film is not one that can simply be watched casually and then moved on from without further thought. Before the film, political science and history professors gave background on Venezuela’s economic and social situation, which…

  • Lecture: Politics and History of the Inka Empire

    Professor Steve Kosiba’s presentation on the Incan empire was incredibly detailed and timely, as it was on Indigenous People’s Day. It was a great opportunity to learn more about an ancient civilization and spark thoughts about the context in which it relates to how society perceives globalization and the cultural conflicts that exist today.  The…

  • Meet Sarah Cox, Our Spanish Student Assistant

    ¡Hola a todos! I’m Sarah Cox, a senior biology and Spanish double major on a pre-veterinary track. In addition to being the academic assistant here, I’m also a Spanish tutor, co-president of Sigma Delta Pi (Hispanic Honor Society), a member of Tri Beta (Biological Honor Society), the pre-vet club, and Alpha Sigma Tau sorority, and…