Have you ever wondered what happens to you when you die? We all want to believe that we live on in some form or another after our life on Earth ends.
The next question is: Did you ever think this concept would be addressed in a children’s movie?
At the tail end of last year, Disney Pixar brought Coco to our screens. The film, set in Santa Cecilia, Mexico depicts a small boy, Miguel whose great great grandfather left his family to pursue a music career.
Miguel and his great grandmother Coco.
This left Miguel’s great grandmother Coco and her mother to fend for themselves. Bitterly hurt by this generations later, Miguel’s family has forbidden music. Of course, music is all that Miguel lives for.
On the Day of the Dead (Día de Muertos) there is a talent contest in the town square that Miguel is desperate to enter. With no instrument, Miguel breaks into the mausoleum of a famous musician: Ernesto. After attempting to steal his guitar, Miguel is summoned to the other side by his dead relatives who were visiting for the Day of the Dead. For stealing the guitar, Miguel is cursed, and will become one of the dead unless he can get a blessing from a deceased family member.
This takes Miguel on a journey through the land of the dead with his dog Dante, meeting a man there who turns out to be his great great grandfather; murdered by the great musician Ernesto who stole his music.
Something very unusual about this film is the place and culture it is set in. Most children’s films we see nowadays (with the possible exception of Mulan) are set in Western societies. This film gives the viewer a real insight to the spiritual beliefs of the Spanish culture; which inhabits not only much of Europe, but also most of Central and South America.
The religious beliefs and customs of the characters in this film are quite different to our own. However, there are so many aspects that we can relate to, as they go through turmoil like loss, and family relations as Miguel tries to convince his family to let go of their hate of music.
I must say, the most striking thing about this film is the strongest theme throughout: death. There is no doubt the creators of Coco made a bold move to produce a movie like this one. For so many people, discussing the subject of death is taboo. We don’t know what is on the other side for sure, and probably won’t until we go there ourselves. For religious people, their beliefs often revolve around good people going to heaven to be with Jesus Christ, while sinners go to be with Satan in the fires of hell. For others, science dictates that once our physical bodies are expended, our souls decompose with it.
Coco conveys one of the strongest beliefs of the Spanish culture: that there is life after death. As long as a photo of you with offerings is placed on the ofrenda on the Day of the Dead, you will continue to live in the afterlife.
This was my favourite sentiment to Coco: that even when we leave this world, no one is ever really gone as long as they are remembered.
With the bold and unusual setting and storyline, mixed with the loveable characters, cool wit and catchy soundtrack, I give Coco a solid 4.5 stars. This one will definitely have a place on my shelf when it is released on DVD.
That’s all from Brett. Be sure to see this one while it’s still in theatres. Peace out for now!
