MEXICO CITY — The Oscar-nominated film "Roma," which chronicles the life of a young housekeeper in 1970s Mexico, has put an uneasy focus on the nation's sharp class, ethnic and racial divisions, leading to mixed reactions to the indigenous woman cast in the starring role.

Yalitza Aparicio has appeared on the cover of "Vogue," attracted over a million Instagram followers and been celebrated with a towering mural in her likeness over a humble district in Mexico City.

With her bronze skin and short stature, the 25-year-old woman from a poor indigenous family in southern Mexico has for many become a symbol of pride. She cuts a stark contrast to the pale women and men with European features who dominate Mexican television and film, despite representing only a sliver of Mexico's overwhelmingly mestizo and indigenous population.

But reactions to Aparicio's leap to fame after her powerful portrayal of a young domestic worker for a middle-class family in "Roma," which is directed by Alfonso Cuaron and nominated for 10 Oscars, have also exposed how deeply prejudice is ingrained.

A telenovela actor disparaged her with crude, racially-charged language, one of many offensive remarks following her Oscar nomination that were especially prevalent on social media. When leading society magazine Hola! featured Aparicio on a recent cover, the actress' skin appeared to have been digitally lightened.

Although Hollywood has been forced to confront its lack of diversity amid #OscarsSoWhite criticism in recent years, Mexico's film industry has rarely turned the mirror on itself. — Reuters