Lovers of Hispanic culture and language, this one is for you…

Encanto, which translates to ‘spell’ or ‘enchantment’, has captivated audiences, both young and old, since its release in November 2021. From the catchy songs written by Hamilton’s Lin-Manuel Miranda to the exotic Colombian landscape, Encanto is a refreshing break away from the stereotypical Disney narratives and a glimpse towards the future of Disney. Not only is this a new era for Disney but it is yet another celebration of Hispanic and Latino culture, which has been growing in the mainstream media over recent years with productions like Coco (2017) and In the Heights (2021).

The film follows the incredible tale of ‘La Familia Madrigal’, a magical family in which each member has been given a special gift… well, everyone except Mirabel. Mirabel is the only family member who was not given a unique power at her gift ceremony, and we follow her as she desperately tries to fit in and impress her family. However, when Mirabel learns that the magic in her family and her home is dying, she sets out on a mission to save them.

Without revealing any spoilers, the film concludes with the finale song ‘All of You’ in which Mirabel discovers that although she doesn’t have a tangible power, she has the power of love inside her. This is a story about finding the gift within yourself and accepting yourself as you are. Although this is a children’s film, there are several lessons to be taken away from this story including the power of believing in yourself and embracing your uniqueness.

The film has been applauded greatly for representing the Latino community in such a beautiful manner, to which many communities can relate. This was highlighted with the viral online post captioned ‘Representation Matters’ of a two-year-old boy, who looks almost identical to one of the main characters. It is a well-known fact that there is power in growing up in a world where you can see your stories played out in front of you and this is exactly what Encanto achieves.

Overall, this is a marvellous film with vibrant Colombian imagery, memorable songs and it’s a great opportunity to practice Spanish for those who are brave enough to watch it without subtitles!