Gustavo Alatriste
Production
Biography
Gustavo Alatriste Rodríguez (August 8th, 1922 – July 22, 2006) was a Mexican director, producer, exhibitor, and entrepreneur. At the age of 17, he enrolled in the Escuela Bancaria y Comercial to study Accounting, but left after only six months. He married Ariadne Welter, an actress who appeared in Ensayo de un crimen (1955), a film directed by the Spanish filmmaker Luis Buñuel, with whom Alatriste formed a strong friendship. A successful furniture businessman, Alatriste later ventured into the film industry as a producer with Viridiana (Buñuel, 1961), a story set in an old and remote estate filled with attractions and romantic entanglements involving a novice (Silvia Pinal, then Alatriste’s second wife), her uncle Don Jaime (Fernando Rey), her cousin Jorge (Paco Rabal), the maid Ramona (Margarita Lozano), and a group of beggars. The film was awarded the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival, where Alatriste received the prize from André Malraux, then France’s Minister of Culture and a member of the French Resistance during World War II.
Known For
Viridiana is preparing to start her life as a nun when she is sent, somewhat unwillingly, to visit her aging uncle, Don Jaime. He supports her; but the two have met only once. Jaime thinks Viridiana resembles his dead wife. Viridiana has secretly despised this man all her life and finds her worst fears proven when Jaime grows determined to seduce his pure niece. Viridiana becomes undone as her uncle upends the plans she had made to join the convent.
Viridiana
After a lavish dinner party, the guests find themselves unable to depart... and, over the next few days, all of their elaborate societal pretenses and façades deteriorate as they are reduced to living like animals.
The Exterminating Angel
Simon, a deeply religious man living in the 4th century, wants to be nearer to God so he climbs a column. The Devil wants him come down to Earth and is trying to seduce him.
Simon of the Desert
Historical drama about the career of a hit-man who specialized in political assassinations in Mexico in the 1920s-30s.
Aquel famoso Remington
Librado, an unemployed man, lives in a crowded small house with numerous children and relatives, is beaten for stealing a car antenna. His godmother and her children try to settle in his place. She then is arrested at a supermarket for stealing, however, she offers herself and volunteers a friend of hers for sex to the policemen so she can be released. She is a maid of an employee who acts subservient to his boss, a mid-level government employee at once servile who delivers speeches on sexuality in educational texts and then discusses the matter with his brother, a corrupt inspector.
Mexico, Mexico, ra, ra, ra!
After a youth tormented by her mother, a prostitute, Toña must decide which path to take in life, for better or worse.
Toña, Born a Virgin
Owners of two small farms try to move forward in life by wholesaling their own produce instead of relying on dishonest brokerages. When that doesn't work, they hatch a kidnapping scheme, and the movie shifts its focus to the rich people who have been profiting off their poverty.
En la cuerda del hambre
Documentary about the founding of Ciudad Nezahualcóyotl on the outskirts of Mexico City in the sixties.
Whoever is Responsible
No description available.
Historia de una mujer escandalosa
Experimental filmmaker Rubén Gámez explores the iconography of the maguey plant in Mexican cinematic history.
Magueyes
Friends of Luis Buñuel discuss the director while Buñuel mixes drinks and entertains friends in his home.
The Castaway on the Street of Providence
A domineering, reclusive and ostentatiously pious widow in a small Spanish town keeps such close watch on her daughters that they are unable to have normal social lives. However, the eldest is allowed to become engaged to an unprincipled young man, primarily for the financial advantages it will bring the mother, Bernarda. Jealousy and envy ensues among the other daughters.
La casa de Bernarda Alba
Anthology movie, three cynical "contes cruels."
La mujer de a seis litros
Through still photographs from different eras, excerpts from some of his most accomplished films, interviews, and testimonies, this documentary explores the life and work of Alec Pelepiok, later known as Alex Phillips.
Alex Phillips: The magic between light and shadow
No description available.
La grilla
No description available.
La belleza
Mexican feature film
Entre violetas
Mexican feature film
Las calles no se siembran
Mexican feature film
Los privilegiados
Documentary about the harsh conditions of henequen workers at the Citincabchén hacienda, Yucatán.