Was Eugenio Derbez's 'Instructions Not Included' Discriminated By Mexican Film Academy Or Does His Movie Simply Not Measure Up?

Eugenio Derbez undoubtedly took the U.S. box office by storm last summer when his directorial debut, "Instructions Not Included," became a success. The Spanish-language film became the most successful and debunking fellow Mexican Guillermo Del Toro's "Pan's Labyrinth." When award season approached Derbez wanted the Mexican Film Academy to nominate his work to represent his country for consideration at the Oscars and Golden Globes. The Academy went in another direction and chose "Heli" and "La Jaula De Oro" as their contenders, which made Eugenio upset and later opted to sign up as an independent movie in the U.S. The filmmaker later decided he did not want to partake in the Ariel Awards, which honor the best films in Mexico.

Blanca Guerra, President of the Mexican Academy Of Motion Picture Arts And Sciences, has called Derbez out for his contradictory remarks. "Before Eugenio Derbez registered his movie for the Goya and the Oscar, he told me he wanted to be part of the Academy and have a premiere in Mexico before its premiere in the U.S.," Guerra told reporters. Regarding the films selected to represent Mexico in the award shows she said, "I thanked Derbez, but I told him that I didn't make the decisions. The committee had to see the film first and then make a decision." Ultimately the committee elected "La Jaula De Oro" for the Goya Award and "Heli" for the Oscar from the 17 movies that were competing. "All of the 15 that were not chosen accepted and applauded the movies that were elected. That might be the reason that Eugenio didn't register his film for the Ariel, but he would have many more opportunities in other categories."

The question that comes up from this situation is: Should films be submitted based on box office success or quality? What Eugenio Derbez failed to realize is that his film was indeed a winner amongst audiences, but the content of his work does not measure up with the Oscar contenders. To put "Instructions Not Included" in perspective, the film has a similar plot to Adam Sandler's "Big Daddy." That comedy grossed over $200 million with an estimated budget of a little over $30 million. Yes it was a success at the cinema, but we would never even think to nominate it for any of the serious award shows. Derbez is in the same arena with this flick and is being thick headed to think he stood a chance to receive a nomination. The film was up for a "People's Choice Award" and that is all the recognition it can aspire to, maybe a Kids Choice Award or an MTV Movie Award. We applauded Eugenio for making a fun and family-friendly movie and as a fellow Latino we are proud of his success, but it's time to get past that resentment. Opting out of the most prestigious award in the Mexican film industry, not only will he not get recognized for his arduous work, but everyone that was involved in the project will be left in the dark. Derbez should quit being selfish and carry on with the same humility he showed when he was a winner at the box office.