5 Great Moments Brought to Us by ‘Encanto’

Photo courtesy of Disney Belatina, latinx
Photo courtesy of Disney

If you haven’t heard by now, “Encanto” is taking over the world. 

By now, almost everyone knows about the animated film influenced by magical realism set in the vibrant and luscious, fertile grounds of Colombia.

It is also a story infused with comedy, relatable moments, and plenty of music. How many of you have caught yourself humming  “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” and “Surface Pressure,” a couple of songs created by Lin-Manuel Miranda.

Its impact has been grand. From helping communities gain a deeper understanding of their traditions to breaking records, it’s safe to say that its reach transcends typical expectations of an animated film.

Let’s look at some of the best moments that have followed the success of “Encanto” and its growing legacy.

One-hundred percent of the voice cast was Colombian in the film’s version in Spanish

“Encanto” version in Spanish was voiced by an all-Colombian cast. Among the cast were Olga Lucía Vives (Mirabel), María Cecilia Botero (Abuela Alma), Angie Cepeda (Julieta), Carolina Gaitán (Pepa), Mauro Castillo (Félix), Alejandro Riaño (Bruno), and Maluma (Mariano). 

“Encanto” has given many people a glimpse of the power of representation in media

Media has historically been white-washed from all ends. However, “Encanto” made sure to showcase how diverse Colombians can be — which can be translated to other Latin American regions as well. Since the release of the movie, social media sites have been flooded with “Encanto” characters lookalike and it’s as sweet as it sounds.

@maribelspiritualjourney

#luisa #madrigalfamily #encanto #wholesome #bodypositivity

♬ just eldest daughter and family therapist things – persephone ⚢

Generational trauma at the forefront of the conversation

The film may have moved some stones to create a path where generational trauma can be a topic of conversation, especially in the Latino community. 

Founder and creator of TheaterEars, Dan Mangru, told BELatina News that he believes that the world of “Encanto” gives many people the opportunity for reflection — not just on ourselves, but in our families and communities. 

“In a magical world of fantasy, there is something very real and very relatable about this movie.  So many people have seen themselves in the look of the characters.  Most of us can relate in some way to the family dynamic in the film.” 

He also expressed how the storytelling in conjunction with the music made this film different from others. 

“If I had to describe Encanto in a word: authentic. Then, what brings it all together is the music. Lin-Manuel Miranda teaches a masterclass in this film of storytelling through sound.  It’s more than just the words and lyrics,” he said. “Lin uses everything from differing keys (C & C#), whisper, speed, and competing melodies to communicate emotions and relationships in the movie that we can understand without being told.”

‘We Don’t Talk About Bruno has surpassed Frozen’s ‘Let It Go’ 

“We Don’t Talk About Bruno”  has become the highest-charting song on Billboard from a Disney animated film in recent years – in fact, in the last 26 years. It has also climbed to the number one spot in the U.K., making it the first Disney original song ever to accomplish such a feat in the U.K. Some have gone to say it’s catchier than “Let It Go,” and the charts are a testament to this statement. 

Authentic Colombian food get screen time 

Photo courtesy of datebook.sfchronicle.com
Photo courtesy of datebook.sfchronicle.com

Something I personally enjoyed when I watched “Encanto” was the portrayal of the food. It looked as real as it does in my weekend morning routines. 

As a Colombian, it brought great joy to see other people, who may not necessarily be from my culture, get the chance to be introduced to some of our favorite foods, such as buñuelos and arepas. And that’s me as a thirty-plus-year-old; I can only imagine how the younger generation feels. From these scenes, many people are flocking to the internet, searching for the recipes of these savory treats. How great is that? 

If you haven’t watched “Encanto” yet, run. Run to your nearest theater (if they’re still playing it) or click on Disney+ to watch it. 

TheaterEars also has “Encanto” available in Spanish for those in the United States. This, as Mangru explains, can be an intergenerational moment where families of all ages and sizes can relate to a story in a very personal way in the language of their choice, English or Spanish.  

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