Spanish Show ‘Elite’ Takes on New Topics
Season 3 premiered on March 13. (Photo Credit: IMD)
By Mayte Peña
Spanish teen drama and thriller, “Elite” explores sexuality, religion, drugs and murder-related topics in new, nuanced ways, making it a gripping viewing experience.
Created for Netflix by Carlos Montero and Dario Madrona, “Elite” follows the adventures of a group of students who attend the prestigious school Las Encinas. The Spanish show has been breaking boundaries from the very first season by addressing serious issues teens deal with today, allowing fans to contemplate these issues in their own lives. Polyamorous relationships are rarely, if ever, shown on-screen in popular culture, but “Elite” is respectful in its portrayal of the relationship between the main characters Polo, Carla and Christian.
Season one introduces three new working-class students given scholarships to attend Las Encinas High: outgoing Christian, (Miguel Herrán), who gets involved in a polyamorous relationship with two wealthy students, along with Nadia (Mina El Harmmani), the ambitious daughter of Palestinian immigrants, and Samuel (Itsan Escamilla),who becomes close to Marina, a student whose father has funded their scholarship. What begins as a teen drama about how they try to fit in at their new school quickly transforms into a classic whodunit.
Elite broke Netflix during its premiere day. (Photo Credit Variety)
When it’s revealed that Marina has been murdered, Nadia, Samuel and Christian find themselves pulled into a web of mysteries and deceit. Flash-forwards to Marina’s death drive the action of the plot within seasons one and two, dropping hints about the killer’s identity.
Elite’s third season premiered on March 13, adding to a compelling new twist of these high Scholler’s stories. Just as things seems to be winding down after the mystery of Marina’s murder was solved, another death leaves the students desperate for answers.
As the season progresses, conflict between characters are revealed while new and old romances come into play. The clues fed to the viewers keep them guessing until the very last moments of the season, a thrilling adventure full of drama and suspense.
In season three we have polyamorous love between Polo and his new girlfriend Cayetana and Valerio who becomes their sexual game, as in season one with Carla and Christian.
In exploring the polyamorous, “Elite” reassures its audience that it is acceptable to have or experiment with open relationships, a testament to the many forms love can take.
“Elite” is a breath of fresh air to teen audiences: its hyper focus on the glamorous lives of the wealthy and privileged is an addictive escape, reminiscent of “Gossip Girl,” but unlike that show from the early 2000s, it features a diverse cast of characters with different backgrounds, religions and places of origin.
It is a must-see for anyone who loves drama, mysteries and fast-paced thrillers; viewers can see themselves in the characters, providing representation that is desperately needed in the teen drama genre today.
“La Casa de Papel” is Netflix’s Most-Watched Spanish TV Series
Fans of “La Casa de Papel” dress up as characters at New York Comic Con 2019 (Photo Credit: Mayte Peña)
By Mayte Peña
“It has intrigue, action, love... What else do we need?” said Lehman’s 22-year-old junior psychology major, Jaden Reyes of the Spanish crimedrama “La Casa de Papel” (Money Heist). Reyes hailed it as “one of the best television productions I’ve ever seen.”
Reyes is not alone in her enthusiasm. Two months after its third premiere, it remains one of the most-watched foreign language-streamed Netflix originals; its watch rate of 34,355,956 household account views was reached within just the first week of the season on July 19, 2019.
The series’ third installment also reached non-Spanish speaking countries like France, Italy, Portugal, and even India, according to entertainment news source Variety.
Spanish television producer, writer, series creator, scriptwriter and film director, Alex Pina originally planned to launch the series on Spanish television network Antena 3. Netflix was granted global streaming rights and decided to divide the original 15 episodes into 22 shorter episodes across two seasons, released worldwide on Dec. 20, 2017, and April 6, 2018, respectively.
These seasons introduced the audience to the famous criminals who execute the biggest robbery in the history of Spain. After months of preparation, they steal €2.4 billion and Stam Factory, while wearing red jumpsuits and masks like those of Spanish painter, Salvador Dali, an outf it that becomes a symbol of resistance later in the series.
The iconic criminals protect their identities by using the names of famous cities that they would like to visit, such as Tokyo, Nairobi, Berlin, and Rio. Mastermind, Sergio Marquina (Alvaro Morte), known as El Professor is the only exception in the group.
(Photo curtesy of La Casa of Papel’s Instagram)
“I admire the character of the Professor,” said Reyes. “He is not just the mastermind behind the robbery who’s ensuring nobody sabotages the plan, but he also cares for the band members.” Other Lehman students said that they loved the production’s plot intrigues.
“The show is really great and completely different from anything I have seen on TV,” said 21-year-old senior journalism major, Lili Stevens. “‘Money Heist’ gives a message to society: [it] is important for everyone to stick together, otherwise things may not go as planned.”
This is evident after the first robbery when all the characters’ vacations are interrupted once Rio is captured by police officials. Another organized robbery is held to negotiate 13 Rio’s freedom. The series’ ending could form a bridge to a possible part four, rumored to air at the end of 2019, according to The Digital Weekly.
“The direction, actors and plot are all part of an incredible production that keeps us wanting more with no disappointments. I like Tokyo and Nairobi. Both characters have terrific, compelling and powerful backstories,” said senior journalism major, Paola Pontier, 24. “I believe that the resistance movement serves to encourage people to fight back [against] the system.”
Fans Mourn the Loss of Disney Star
Cameron Boyce (Photo Credit: Wikipedia)
By Mayte Peña
Well-known for his rolesas Luke in the Disney Channel show “Jessie,”andCarlos from the “Descendants”franchise,20-year-old American actor, Cameron Mica Boyce, died in his sleep on July 6, 2019, leaving millions of fans heartbroken.
A Boyce family spokesperson told ABC News thatthe actorpassed away due to an epileptic seizure, an ongoing medical condition that the young starsuffered from since childhood, despite years of treatment.
Lehman students were among his fans in mourning. Lehman student,Natalia Palacios, a 21-year-old senior dance major, said that she didn’t know that Boyce had suffered from epilepsy. “I feel like he really hid it so well even from his friends.”
At age 9, Boyce made his acting debut in the 2008 horror film “Mirrors.” In 2010 he appeared in the blockbuster comedy “Grown Ups” as one of the sons and joined the Disney family as Luke Ross on “Jessie,”which ran for four seasons. His fame grew in 2015 when he became part of the “Descendants” world, a Disney trilogydirected by Kenny Ortega,which follows the children of the Disney villains. Boyce played Carlos de Ville, son of the “101 Dalmatians” villain, Cruella de Vil.
On a Disney Channel marathon of the “Descendants”movies, the final movie had 8.43 million viewers according to Hollywood Reporterand featured a tribute to Boyce. The Boyce family created the Cameron Boyce Foundation in his honor. Its mission repeats a phrase Boyce used when receiving an award. He hoped to keep at-risk teens and adults off the streetsandto provide “young people artistic and creative outlets as alternatives to violence and negativity.”
Lehman sophomore and psychology major Jade Pratt, 19, said, “Cameron was so talented, and it saddens me that we can’t see how he would have blossomed.”
"Past Perfect Life" Shows Teen Finding Her Truth
“Past Perfect Life” by Elizabeth Eulberg (Photo credit: Mayte Peña).
By Mayte Peña
Inspired by a true story, author Elizabeth Eulberg’s new novel “Past Perfect Life” tells the story of a teenage girl named Alisson Smith who lives a good life with her dad and friends in Valley Falls, Wisconsin until she discovers her father actually kidnapped her when she was 3.
Released on July 9, 2019, the novel examines the strong, heartfelt father-daughter bond that exists between Ally and her father, as well as her attempts to find herself again after all the lies.
In all of her ten-adult books, Eulberg depicts strong female characters who do not worry about boys, but rather focus on real problems like identity, self-love and solidarity between girls helping each other and not competing against one another. Readers can connect with the characters and themes of parenthood, friendship, and the meaning of family.
Ally is supported in her journey towards her family’s truth by Neil, a close friend who is interested in her, and Ally’s mother, a selfish and unsympathetic woman when she’s first introduced. As she goes through the challenges of moving in with her mother and adjusting to her new life, her best friend Marian is always ready to help however she can. While Ally’s relationship with her biological sister, Sarah, is strained at first, the blossoming relationship between the sisters who never had the chance to meet in the past is fresh and satisfying. Ultimately Ally adjusts to her new life, and her aspirations motivate her to continue going after what she wants.
Beyoncé’s “Homecoming” Brings #Beychella to Netflix
Beyonce’s “Homecoming” is a celebration of historically black colleges and universities.
By Mayte Peña
Highly anticipated by fans and critics alike, Beyoncé’s performance in Netflix’s “Homecoming” is a celebration of historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs). Premiering April 17th on Netflix, the concert film highlights Beyoncé and her performance at the 2018 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.
Beyoncé explains in her documentary that when she decided to do Coachella, it was important to her that she bring her community to the music festival. From dancers, backup singers, and the band itself, the whole crew was transformed to resemble a student body. In “Homecoming”, Beyoncé features a new sorority, Beta Delta Kappa (BAK). She proudly wears the sorority letters on her custom-designed yellow hoodie.
The star grew up in Texas and always dreamed of going to an HBCU. Despite her original plans, My college was Destiny's Child,” she says within the film. She expresses satisfaction with what she’s been able to accomplish, given her humble beginnings: “It’s hard to believe that, after all these years, I was the first African American woman to headline Coachella.”
The documentary emphasizes how hard Beyoncé worked to bring an amazing performance to Coachella, which was her big return to the stage. We all know that Beyoncé can pull off a great show, but she explains how her first-time back home was not easy. The documentary shows how the singer struggled with her body during her first rehearsals after giving birth. She explains, “I wasn’t feeling myself”.
After giving birth to her twins, Rumi and Sir Carter, her body was not the same, and she struggled with high blood pressure and toxemia. The latter is a condition in pregnancy, also known as preeclampsia, characterized by abrupt hypertension a sharp rise in blood pressure, albuminuria leakage of large amounts of the protein albumin into the urine and edema swelling of the hands, feet, and face. According to google.
But after all her hard work, her two-hour Coachella performance was no exception to her amazing performance record. Hit songs like “Crazy Love” Freedom” Formation” among others had fans and the whole Coachella audience on their feet, dancing and enjoying the performance.
For the last set, she brought to the stage her two best friends and ex-members from the girl group Destiny’s Child: Michelle Williams and Kelly Rowland. For one night the girl group reunited for a couple of songs with famous hits like “Lose My Breath”, “Say My Name”, and “Soldier”. Old fans of Beyoncé and the group were shocked by the unexpected reunion and welcomed the trip down memory lane.
“I enjoyed the performance.” said Liselotte Fana, 22, a dance major at Queens College who currently works as a dance instructor at Planet Fitness. “It was about everyone on stage and that made it a very wonderful performance.”
Fana’s favorite part of the film was Beyoncé explaining the process of coming up with the playlist, choreography, and visuals to portray message she wanted to give to the audience. She said, “since I choreograph myself, I got inspired to make my own version of the choreos.”