The city of LA made Feb. 27 “Coco Day” to honor the Disney Pixar movie “Coco.” The movie had international success because of the Mexican setting and the focus on the Spanish holiday Dia de Los Muertos. This film featured Latino actors and was about the Mexican traditions and values. “Coco” made a statement at the Oscars on March 4 and won Best Animation Feature Film and Best Original Song for the song “Remember Me.” “Coco Day” was created by Councilmember Gil Cedillo when he made the announcement on Feb. 27 at City Hall in Downtown LA with the director of “Coco,” Lee Unkrich, and the voice of main character Miguel, Anthony Gonzalez. LA decided to have this special day because the city is home to many Mexican-Americans, and they thought that this movie portrayed their culture and Dia de los Muertos well.
The movie “Coco” is set in Mexico and focuses on 12-year-old Miguel who is an aspiring young musician and grew up in a family in which music is forbidden. On Dia de los Muertos, Miguel goes to his favorite musician, Ernesto de la Cruz’s, grave to get his guitar. When Miguel starts playing on his guitar, he is immediately transported to the Land of the Dead and has to go on a journey to uncover his family history and go back to the Living World. Senior Estrella Diaz was in favor of having a day about “Coco” because of how it represented Mexican culture.
“I think ‘Coco Day’ is a big step for Mexican representation and honoring the film itself. It’s a great way of recognizing the heritage LA is founded upon and the values that help make the community what it is,” Diaz said. “It highlights the bonds that can not only inspire people, but bring them together.”
During “Coco Day”, the Mariachi Divas, an all female mariachi band, performed two songs with Anthony Gonzalez called “Un Poco Loco” and “Remember Me” outside of city hall. Other voice actors from “Coco” such as, Renee Victor (“Abuelita”), Alfonso Arau (“Dad Julio”), Natalia Cordova Buckley (“Frida Kahlo”), Selena Luna (“Tía Rosita”) and Lombardo Boyar (“Mariachi Gustavo”), also attended. According to KTLA 5, councilmember Cedillo praised “Coco” as the first American animated film that features an almost entirely Latino cast, many of whom have grown up and lived in LA. This movie made many Mexican-Americans feel in touch with their culture, and it also impacted the people of Mexico, with the movie being the highest-grossing film of all time in Mexico. All in all, the movie “Coco” will have a special place in the people of LA’s hearts.