Four Latinos Invited to Join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

Filed in archive Latin Culture , Latin Movies on July 3, 2007

115 filmmakers, actors, actresses and executives have been invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

"These individuals are all exceptionally accomplished in their respective fields," Academy president Sid Ganis said. "We're looking forward to having them join the Academy's ranks."

The two-time Oscar winner, singer, music writer, musician, producer and musical director Gustavo Santaolalla is one of the four Latinos I saw on the list.

Santaolalla was recently awarded by his Publisher - Editorial Retina - for his books Café de los Maestros (Teacher's Cafe) and Sangre (Blood).

Gustavo Santaolalla is the only Argentine producer and musician who has won two consecutive Oscar awards. The two Oscars were granted for the music of Broke Back Mountain and Babel, respectively.

"I feel very honored and proud of accepting the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences invitation and to become one of its members. I hope, with my vote and my work, to contribute the preservation and the impulse of the excellence and the creativity in the cinematographic world", said Santaolalla.

But he's not the only Latino who has been invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences: Adriana Barraza, Guillermo Arriaga and Eugenio Caballero are also in the list. As far as I could see, there aren't any other Latinos invited. Did I miss someone?

For those who are interested, many Spanish were also invited: Maribel Verdu, Javier Aguirresarobe, Javier Navarrete, Agustin Almodóvar (Pedro Almodóvar's brother), Javier Fesser and Montse Ribe.

Six Spanish (if I didn't miss anyone) and four Latinos. What does that tell you?