COCO

Movie Synopsis Coco

Coco is an animated film produced by Pixar Animation Studios and released by Walt Disney Pictures in 2017. Directed by Lee Unkrich and Adrian Molina, the film draws inspiration from Mexican culture, particularly the tradition of the day of the dead (Día de los Muertos). The story combines elements of family, music and emotional adventure in a colorful and magical world.

Background Story

The Film centers on Miguel Rivera, a 12-year-old boy living in the Mexican village of Santa Cecilia. Miguel dreams of becoming a musician, inspired by his musical idol, Ernesto de la Cruz, a famous singer and actor who has passed away. However, Miguel's family, who worked as a shoemaker, had a strict ban on music. This prohibition stems from family history: Miguel's great-grandmother, who supposedly abandoned her wife and child in favor of pursuing a musical career, caused deep emotional wounds to the family, especially Mamá Imelda, Miguel's great-grandmother.

Major Conflicts

On the eve of the Día de los Muertos celebration, Miguel is determined to enter a local talent competition to prove his musical abilities. However, when his grandmother, Abuelita, destroys his guitar, Miguel feels desperate. In an emotional moment, he sneaks into Ernesto de la Cruz's grave and borrows his guitar, believing that Ernesto is his great-grandfather. This action inadvertently brings Miguel to the realm of the dead, a magical realm where the spirits of ancestors reside.

Adventure in the world of the dead

In the world of the Dead, Miguel meets the spirits of his ancestors, including Mamá Imelda, who explains that Miguel must get the family's blessing to return to the world of the living before sunrise, or he will be trapped forever. However, Imelda's blessing was accompanied by the condition that Miguel should not make music. Not wanting to give up on his dream, Miguel runs away and looks for Ernesto de la Cruz, whom he believes can give him his unconditional blessing.

On his way, Miguel meets Héctor, a seemingly Dishonored and almost forgotten spirit. Héctor agrees to help Miguel find Ernesto in exchange for Miguel bringing his picture back to the world of the living, so that Héctor does not completely disappear from his family's memory. Together, they explore a world of the dead filled with color, music, and tradition, including music competitions and interactions with the various spirits that celebrate Día de los Muertos.

Disclosure and resolution

As the adventure continues, Miguel discovers that Ernesto de la Cruz is not the hero he thought he was. Ernesto turns out to steal the songs of Héctor, who is actually Miguel's great-grandfather, and even kills Héctor to cover up his actions. This revelation destroys Ernesto's image in Miguel's eyes, but also strengthens his relationship with Héctor, who turns out to be a true ancestor who always wants to return to his family.

With the help of his spirit family, Miguel attempts to return to the world of the living to convey the truth to Mamá Coco, Héctor's now-elderly daughter and on the verge of losing her memory. In one of the most emotional moments in the film, Miguel sings the song “Remember me” to Mamá Coco, which evokes memories of his father, Héctor. This allowed the Rivera family to come to terms with the past and lift the ban on music.

Closing

After returning to the world of the Living, Miguel helps his family honor Héctor and celebrate Día de los Muertos in a more meaningful way. One year later, the Rivera family celebrates the holiday with great joy, remembering their ancestors, including Héctor, while Miguel continues to pursue his dream as a musician. The Film closes with a message about the importance of family, remembering ancestors, and pursuing dreams without forgetting cultural roots.

Main Themes

• Family and legacy: The Film emphasizes the importance of family relationships and respect for ancestors, while showing that understanding family history can heal old wounds.
• Identity and dreams: Miguel struggles to balance his dreams as a musician with family expectations, reflecting a universal conflict about personal identity.
• Death and memory: Día de los Muertos is described as a celebration of life, where remembering the departed keeps them “alive” in memory.

Cultural Elements

The Film is rich with elements of Mexican culture, including Día de los Muertos traditions such as the making of ofrenda (offerings to ancestors), the use of marigold flowers, and the presence of alebrijes (colorful mystical creatures). Music also plays a big role, with songs like “Remember Me” winning the Academy Award for Best Original Song.

Coco is an emotional journey that celebrates culture, family and the power of music, with stunning visuals and a heartwarming story, making it one of Pixar's most beloved works.