Mexican Cinema

Rating:
Summary: Film Industry down south
Review: An absolutely fascinating and comprehensive exploration of Mexican cinema from it's inception worthy of any International film buffs library. The book is a bit scholary in parts but overall it is not difficult to follow although by the very nature of the subject a bit esoteric. Let's face it, most Americans have never heard of most of the films discussed or the history of the development of film in Mexico. The book is well written and researched meticulously. The organization of the book is very good and helps the reader understand methodically how Mexico came to have one of the vital cinema machines in Latin America. The contributors to this book are some of the best writers and film historians Mexico has produced. Included is social critic Carlos Monsivais who writes several essays with his unique insights into Mexican culture. Other notable contributors include Paulo Antonio Paranagud, Ana M. Lopez and Tomas Perez Turrent. The essays are extremely interesting with provocative titles like "Ten Reasons to Love or Hate Mexican Cinema" and "All the People Came and Did Not Fit onto the Screen." The book begins with a chronicle of events in Mexico paralled by events in cinema for background information. This is like a brief Mexican history with cinema side notes. The impact of the Mexican Revolution is fully chronicled. Beginning with the first movies, which were documentaries, the book then delves full on into the History, progressing with the silent cinema, the origins of sound cinema and the renovation of movies in Mexico. The book continues with explorations of the studios, early major movies("Rancho Grande"), the comedies(Cantinflas, Tin Tan etc), heartthrobs(Maria Felix,Dolores Del Rio, Katy Hurtado, Pedro Armendariz, Pedro Infante etc.) and the reflection of the Mexican spirit and it's monster shadow north of the border in image-making Hollywood. The various genres of film are examined and an outstanding look at some of the most important directors including Emilio "El Indio" Fernandez, Roberto Gavaldon, Luis Bunuel, Leduc, Ripstein and others. The various movies that had societal clout are put under the microscope with discussion on the their impact. There are some beautiful black and white photographs that are essentially stills from the major motion pictures. The Golden Age of Mexican Cinema( cinematographer Gabriel Figueroa is thoroughly examined. Also included is a fillm dictionary with descriptions and details on some of the major movies(150) dating back to 1919 and concluding with several 1994 productions. There is also data on the film-makers which includes the major actors and actresses with short biographies and film credits.A superb book that is good reading especially if you have interest in the movies of Mexico that is valuable after intial reading for reference. This is a masterful examination of Mexico's political, social and cultural history in the twentieth century and how it relates to film. Highly recommended for International film buffs or people interested in the movies of Mexico.

Rating:
Summary: Film Industry down south
Review: An absolutely fascinating and comprehensive exploration of Mexican cinema from it's inception worthy of any International film buffs library. The book is a bit scholary in parts but overall it is not difficult to follow although by the very nature of the subject a bit esoteric. Let's face it, most Americans have never heard of most of the films discussed or the history of the development of film in Mexico. The book is well written and researched meticulously. The organization of the book is very good and helps the reader understand methodically how Mexico came to have one of the vital cinema machines in Latin America. The contributors to this book are some of the best writers and film historians Mexico has produced. Included is social critic Carlos Monsivais who writes several essays with his unique insights into Mexican culture. Other notable contributors include Paulo Antonio Paranagud, Ana M. Lopez and Tomas Perez Turrent. The essays are extremely interesting with provocative titles like "Ten Reasons to Love or Hate Mexican Cinema" and "All the People Came and Did Not Fit onto the Screen." The book begins with a chronicle of events in Mexico paralled by events in cinema for background information. This is like a brief Mexican history with cinema side notes. The impact of the Mexican Revolution is fully chronicled. Beginning with the first movies, which were documentaries, the book then delves full on into the History, progressing with the silent cinema, the origins of sound cinema and the renovation of movies in Mexico. The book continues with explorations of the studios, early major movies("Rancho Grande"), the comedies(Cantinflas, Tin Tan etc), heartthrobs(Maria Felix,Dolores Del Rio, Katy Hurtado, Pedro Armendariz, Pedro Infante etc.) and the reflection of the Mexican spirit and it's monster shadow north of the border in image-making Hollywood. The various genres of film are examined and an outstanding look at some of the most important directors including Emilio "El Indio" Fernandez, Roberto Gavaldon, Luis Bunuel, Leduc, Ripstein and others. The various movies that had societal clout are put under the microscope with discussion on the their impact. There are some beautiful black and white photographs that are essentially stills from the major motion pictures. The Golden Age of Mexican Cinema( cinematographer Gabriel Figueroa is thoroughly examined. Also included is a fillm dictionary with descriptions and details on some of the major movies(150) dating back to 1919 and concluding with several 1994 productions. There is also data on the film-makers which includes the major actors and actresses with short biographies and film credits.A superb book that is good reading especially if you have interest in the movies of Mexico that is valuable after intial reading for reference. This is a masterful examination of Mexico's political, social and cultural history in the twentieth century and how it relates to film. Highly recommended for International film buffs or people interested in the movies of Mexico.