Abre Los Ojos - Germaine Franco

Artist: Germaine Franco

Title: Abre Los Ojos / Open Your Eyes

Year: 2021

Composer: Germaine Franco

Genre: Classical, Movie Tune

This piece comes from Disney's Encanto, a movie about a Colombian family with magical powers. The film tells the story of many immigrants from Latin American countries, and the generational trauma that they experience.

In the film, only about 45 seconds of the piece are played during the opening scene. This is when Abuela tells Mirabel the tale of the family's discovery of their magical powers. The whimsical component of the piece matches the supernatural experience viewers witness. With such a profound tale, it is no wonder that the family wishes to preserve their miracle.

As viewers, we open our eyes to the magic of Colombia and the triumphs of those who escape political persecution. By the end of the film, the family comes to realize that the true miracle is in their unity despite the traumas they faced.

Connection to Playlist

This piece harkens the supernatural, directly relating to its position in the playlist title: God. That which is unexplainable is magic—and we admire and preserve it. In darkness (the absence of spirituality), we open our eyes to be warmed by the light (the magic). In a more literal sense, as proponents of social change, we must open our eyes to the harsh realities in our nation.

Resources

Disney Movies, Encanto, https://movies.disney.com/encanto.

Germaine Franco, Abre los ojos, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKv_spJiw2w.