Memories of Tata (Film Review)

Note: This is a documentary film, not a major motion picture.

Memories of Tata ; c1994 ; 55 minutes ; in English ; written, directed, and produced by Prof. Sheldon Schiffer. A quasi-autobiographical film examining the social and sexual relationships within generations of a Central American immigrant family.

Georgia State University´s Professor and Filmmaker Sheldon Schiffer offers a brutally honest portrait of his grandfather, Atam Morales (a.k.a. “Tata”), as well as a fascinating look into the life of his immigrant family.

The film is ultimately derived from his childhood memories, but this story is crafted from the reminiscences of his other grandparents, as well as his mother and aunts. Just prior to his death, Tata, head of the family, was interviewed by Schiffer. In most revealing fashion, Tata expounds on what he believes it is to be masculine – what one must do, to be a real man, essentially, to be macho. It is via his vision of masculinity that he covers topics such as sexuality, respect, violence, talk of heart-felt emotions, marriage, and the role of children in the family, and how they should be raised.

Schiffer contrasts these sentiments with those of Tata’s long-lost wife, and also with those of his two adult daughters. It is through this examination that Schiffer’s film raises questions about many aspects of Latin culture and the personal relationships therein. In the final analysis, the respect Tata so willingly tried to convey, maybe was never delivered, and the macho world to which he was born, and tried to live, failed him in that it is easily debatable how many people in his family, truly love the man.

An excellent film in every regard.