
Ismael Rodríguez
Directing
Biography
Ismael Rodríguez Ruelas (October 19, 1917 – August 7, 2004) was an acclaimed Mexican film director. Rodríguez directed many major stars, including Pedro Infante, Dolores del Río, María Félix, and even Toshiro Mifune, the favorite actor of Japanese director Akira Kurosawa, as a Mexican Indian in the film Ánimas Trujano (1961). This film was nominated for an Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film. Rodríguez's most renowned international film is Tizoc, in which Pedro Infante-who starred alongside Maria Felix -received a Golden Globe nomination for best actor. For this role, Infante won the Silver Bear for Best Actor at the 7th Berlin International Film Festival. Pedro Infante died in a plane crash. on April 15, 1957, before receiving the award. When Ismael Rodriguez asked Pedro's mother to keep the Silver Bear, she refused to accept it. Instead she told Rodriguez that because He had "made" Pedro Infante, deserved to keep the statue. He humbly did. Rodriguez, not only worked with the best of Mexican and international actors, he made some of the most memorable movies of the time. A brilliant writer/director.
Known For

The adventures of a woman who grew up in the jungle as she protects the beasts and the natives while encountering white hunters, native Africans, wild animals and slave traders.
Sheena: Queen of the Jungle

Animas Trujano is a colorful but irresponsible Indian in a small Mexican village. He hopes above all things someday to be chosen mayordomio of his village, a place of great honor usually conferred upon the wealthiest and most respected citizens. Animas has a loyal wife, but cheats on her and gambles away every cent they raise. Chances arise for Animas to turn over a new leaf and even hope realistically for the honor of mayordomio.
The Important Man

An Indian arouses envy for his expertise in hunting animals without ruining their skins, for his wisdom and his kindness.
Tizoc

Carpenter Pepe El Toro lives peacefully with his daughter Chachita in an impoverished Mexico City neighborhood. He pursues a romance with the pretty Celia, but tragedy comes knocking on his door when he is falsely accused of having perpetrated a felony.
We the Poor

Pepe el Toro is married to Celia la Chorreada and they have two children.
You the Rich

3 real life stories taken from the Mexican police archive.
Reclusorio III

This is the story of three brothers - a priest, a soldier, and an outlaw - that are raised separately by their godfathers once their mother dies. They cross their paths again when the soldier and the priest move into two towns near the town the outlaw lives in. The drama will unfold once the three brothers meet each other.
Los tres huastecos

Rich and misogynistic Fabián is determined to seduce married women, whom he literally undresses with his eyes due to a strange obsession. He also receives an inheritance from an aunt and announces that he will give part of it to his three cousins when they become widows. They harass him out of interest and he becomes Virginia's lover, and harasses Maura, who rejects him.
Solicito marido para engañar

Based on a real event, twelve dead bodies are found in the Tula River, we see the events that lead up to the massacre in a tale of crime, vice, corruption and sleaze.
Masacre en el río Tula

The simple life and the values of loyalty and solidarity of the poor people in the environment of professional boxing, is the plot of this film, where Pepe el Toro shows the effort and tragedies that are experienced in this profession.
Pepe El Toro

A drifter lands a job as an officer in México City's elite motorcycle police unit and gets home with a mate of this unit. The mate is in love with a girl, but he and she are always making jealous to each other. The drifter and the mate get involved themselves in a fight to become the winner of conquering ladies and performing unit acrobatic tricks, interfering with their friendship and profession.
Full Spead Ahead

Jorge Bueno and Pedro Malo are best friends who consider giving up their womanizing ways when they each fall in love. As fate would have it, Pedro Malo unexpectedly marries Jorge Bueno's girlfriend, and the conflict between the former buddies begins.
Dos tipos de cuidado

In Becoming Frederick Douglass, acclaimed director Stanley Nelson and co-director Nicole London bring to life the story of an American icon. Using Douglass's own powerful, profound speeches and writing, the story retraces his journey from a man born and raised in slavery to one of the most prominent elder statesmen and inspiring voices for freedom in American history. With additional context and insight provided by historians, scholars and Douglass's descendants, the filmmakers recount the brutality and trauma of his childhood while illuminating his strength of character, defiance against the bonds of slavery and the influences that guided his lifelong quest for freedom. The most celebrated Black man of his era, Douglass's legacy and achievements continue to resonate today. His life and work still inspires activists, educators and citizens in the fight for freedom, equality and a more just American society.
Becoming Frederick Douglass

Ruled by a tough grandma, the Garcías are three charro cousins who fall in love with young American-born Lupita and fight for her love until grandma quiets them.
The Three Garcías

A deaf and mute vagabond finds a large denomination bill in a Mexico City dump, and while he tries to buy something with it, others try to con him into giving it away.
The Paper Man

Two little poor kids, who work selling chewing gum in the streets, must face the true nature of the horror surrounding them.
Chewing Gum

Daniel Boone leads settlers into Kentucky, but must battle Shawnee Indians who have been persuaded by a French renegade that Boone and the settlers are there to kill them and steal their land.
Daniel Boone, Trail Blazer

The Mexican Revolution serves as a backdrop to a torrid love triangle composed of three freedom fighters: a colonel, a widow, and a fiery female soldier.
La Cucaracha

Satan offers a weary ghost a chance for redemption through true love.
Autopsy of a Ghost

The human and divine justice are exposed through five real life stories related to the legal processes of a prison. The cases presented are: "I want to stay in jail", "Blood between women", "The raped prostitute", "The kidnapped policeman", and "Euthanasia or murder?"