Literature in Mexican Cinema
October 19 to November 16, 2011
Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center – Black Box Theater – 600 River Street [Map]
All films are presented with English subtitles – FREE!
The five films presented in the series Literature in Mexican Cinema illustrate examples of literary adaptations through four decades of cinema in Mexico, including important highlights that bring to the screen the literary work of some of the greatest names in Latin American literature, such as Juan Rulfo, Rómulo Gallegos, Vicente Leñero, Bruno Traven, and Federico Gamboa.
Versión completa en Español aquí
Program:
Wednesday, October 19 – 8PM
ROSA BLANCA (WHITE ROSE)
A film by Roberto Gavaldón
Based on the novel by Bruno Traven
1961, Mexico, Historical Drama, Black and White, 105 min.
Starring: Ignacio López Tarso, Christiane Martell, Reinhold Olszwski, Rita Macedo, Begoña Palacios
Wednesday, October 26 – 8PM
DOÑA BÁRBARA
A film by Fernando de Fuentes
Co-directed by Manuel M. Delgado
Based on the novel by Rómulo Gallegos
1943, Mexico, Drama, Black and White, 138 min
Starring: María Félix, Andrés Soler, Julián Soler, María Elena Marqués, Roberto Cañedo
Wednesday, November 2 – 8PM
PEDRO PÁRAMO
A film by Carlos Velo
Based on the novel by Juan Rulfo
1966, Mexico, Drama/Fantasy/Mystery, Black and White, 103 min.
Starring: John Gavin, Ignacio López Tarso, Pilar Pellicer, Graciela Doring
Wednesday, November 9 – 8PM
LOS ALBAÑILES (THE BRICKLAYERS)
A film by Jorge Fons.
Based on the novel by Vicente Leñero
1976, Mexico, Drama/Thriller, Color, 113 min.
Starring: Ignacio López Tarso, Jaime Fernández, José Alonso, Salvador Sánchez, José Carlos Ruiz, Katy Jurado, Adalberto Martínez Resortes
Wednesday, November 16 – 8PM
SANTA
A film by Antonio Moreno
Based on the novel by Federico Gamboa
1931, Mexico, Drama, Black & White, 81 min.
Starring: Lupita Tovar, Carlos Orellana, Juan José Martínez Casado, Donald Reed, Antonio R. Frausto, Mimí Derba.
Music by Agustín Lara
Notes:
The presence and influence of literature in Mexican cinema is wide and far-reaching, and impossible to summarize in a brief series of five films. Yet the works presented in the series Literature in Mexican Cinema illustrate examples of literary adaptations through four decades of cinema in Mexico, including important highlights that bring to the screen the literary work of some of the greatest names in Latin American literature, such as Juan Rulfo, Rómulo Gallegos, Vicente Leñero, Bruno Traven, and Federico Gamboa.
The series also represents the work of some of the most accomplished film artists in front and behind the cameras, such as directors Fernando de Fuentes, Roberto Gavaldón, and Jorge Fons; cinematographers Alex Philips and Gabriel Figueroa; musician Agustín Lara; and stars like María Félix, Lupita Tovar, Rita Macedo, Ignacio López Tarso, John Gavin, and Andrés Soler.
Literature in Mexican Cinema includes landmarks in the history of Mexican cinema, such as SANTA (1931, Antonio Moreno), the first Mexican film to feature synchronized sound, and DOÑA BARBARA (1943, Fernando de Fuentes), an adaptation of the novel by Venezuelan author Rómulo Gallegos, and starring María Félix in one of her most iconic roles.
ROSA BLANCA (WHITE ROSE, 1961, Roberto Gavaldón), based on the novel by Bruno Traven, was banned in Mexico for more than ten years due to its depiction of government corruption and corporate greed, over the exploitation of oil fields in Veracruz during the early 20th century. PEDRO PARAMO (1966, Carlos Velo), starring John Gavin (PSYCHO, SPARTACUS), is the first and most faithful adaptation of the acclaimed novel by Juan Rulfo, written for the screen by Carlos Fuentes, producer Manuel Barbachano, and director Carlos Velo, who was nominated for the Palm D’Or at the Cannes Film Festival.
LOS ALBAÑILES (THE BRICKLAYERS, 1976, Jorge Fons) is a crime thriller set in contemporary urban Mexico that draws a complex portrait of the social and economic inequalities in modern Mexico. Based on the acclaimed novel and play by Vicente Leñero, the film took a Silver Bear Award at the Berlin Film Festival.
Eugenio del Bosque – Cine Las Americas
The series Literature in Mexican Cinema is presented by Cine Las Americas and the Consulate General of Mexico in Austin, in collaboration with the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center.
All films are presented with English subtitles.
