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Mamitas is a heartfelt coming-of-age story that was released in 2011. The movie is directed by Nicholas Ozeki and stars E.J. Bonilla as Jordin, Veronica Diaz Carranza as Felipa and Josue Aguirre as Carlos. Jordin is a Latino high school student living in East LA with his mother, an immigrant from Mexico, and his younger brother. He is a talented artist who is struggling to find his place in the world, but he finds solace in his art. Jordin has a crush on Felipa, a Mexican-American girl whose father owns a restaurant. Felipa is smart, opinionated, and independent. She is passionate about dance, and dreams of leaving East LA to attend college in New York.

Jordin and Felipa's lives collide when they both get jobs at a local community center. Jordin is hired as an art tutor, while Felipa is working to restore the center's dance program. The two teenagers begin to form a friendship, bonding over their shared experiences as children of immigrants and their love of art and dance. However, as Jordin's crush on Felipa grows, the cultural and social differences between them become more apparent, threatening to drive them apart.

Mamitas is a nuanced and engaging film that tackles complex issues of identity, immigration, and prejudice. The movie explores the challenges faced by Latino and Mexican-American youth living in marginalized communities, and the difficult choices they must make in order to succeed in life. The story is told with sensitivity and depth, highlighting the cultural and social differences that divide Jordin and Felipa, but also celebrating the strength and resilience of their communities.

E.J. Bonilla gives an outstanding performance as Jordin, capturing both the angst and vulnerability of the character. He portrays the frustration and anger that Jordin feels about his circumstances, but also his determination to succeed and make something of himself. Veronica Diaz Carranza is also exceptional as Felipa, bringing a fierce intelligence and passion to the role. She captures the complexity of Felipa's character, who is torn between her cultural heritage and her desire to break free from the limitations of her environment.

Josue Aguirre is excellent as Carlos, Jordin's best friend, who provides a comic relief to the story. He brings a warmth and humor to the role, and his scenes with Jordin are particularly memorable. The supporting cast is also strong, with notable performances from Joaquim de Almeida as Felipa's demanding father, and Jennifer Esposito as Jordin's caring mother.

The movie's soundtrack is another standout feature, blending traditional Latino music with contemporary hip-hop and R&B. The music underscores the film's themes of cultural fusion and transformation, and adds an additional layer of richness to the story.

In conclusion, Mamitas is a powerful and moving film that offers a poignant and authentic portrayal of the lives of Latino and Mexican-American youth in East LA. The movie is a must-see for anyone interested in contemporary Latin-American cinema, and is a testament to the enduring resilience and creativity of immigrant communities in the United States.

Mamitas is a 2012 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 49 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.9.