Not only is Gael García Bernal one of the most talented young Latino actors currently on the scene (and in my opinion sexy), but he’s also outspoken. Most recently in London, García Bernal criticized Hollywood’s perpetuation of Latino stereotypes. He attacked not just the portrayal of Latinos as criminals but also the portrayal of Latinos as people from the ghetto with hearts of gold.

The Mexican actor of Y Tu Mama También and la Mala Educación fame said on stage at the National Film Theatre in The Times Screen Talk, part of The Times bfi London Film Festival that

There’s also the Good Latino stereotype. They always come from the slums with dogs playing in the dirt and people everywhere and a room full of kids. To be the Good Latino they then have to get away, to go to university and then marry the white girl.

Gael realizes that the impact of stereotypes reaches far beyond the screen. He went on to say that

This kind of thing is allowed now after September 11. As if the US wasn’t made rich by all the people that came and brought their culture with them

Bernal must know that the best way to counter negative Latino stereotyping in the media is to become the media because he along with Y Tu Mama También co-star and amigo Diego Luna set up a film production company in Mexico to help local indy filmmakers work without commercial constraints.

I didn’t need another reason to fall in love with Gael García Bernal. but I’m glad to know that he doesn’t just speak out against the proverbial hand that feeds him but he also works to feed himself and other Latino artists.

Via / The Times Online