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Enamorada – Melodrama at the Height of Mexico’s Golden Age

Enamorada Film Difficulty Ranking: 2

Enamorada is one of Mexico’s most iconic films, released at the height of the Mexican Golden Age of cinema. It’s also one of the most entertaining owing to the screwball romance of two stars at the height of their powers (Maria Felix and Pedro Armendariz) filled with slapstick gags. In the 10 years following the release of Alla en el Rancho Grande, Mexican dramas had: established a distinct style owing to cinematographer Gabriel Figueroa, developed a star system inspired by Hollywood, and continued to construct Mexican identity in the post-revolutionary years.

From: Mexico, North America
Watch: JustWatch, IMDb
Next: Doña Bárbara, Maria Candelaria, The Taming of the Shrew

The Director: Emilio Fernandez

It was a roller coaster journey that led Emilio Fernandez to become one of the most prolific directors of the Mexican Golden Age. He was born in Coahuila, closer to the U.S. than to the Mexican capital, but was brought into the political craziness by fighting alongside the northern generals in the Mexican revolution. As the revolution cooled down, Fernandez become disillusioned with the pro-U.S. actions of the Obregon government and revolted alongside de la Huerta. His participation in the uprising forced him into exile alongside de la Huerta in the U.S. After working odd-jobs in Texas and Chicago, Fernandez settled in Los Angeles, finding work as a stonemason for Hollywood studio construction and appearing as an extra in the occasional Hollywood film. His big moment came with the arrival of revolutionary filmmaker Sergei Eisenstein (Battleship Potemkin, October) from the USSR. Screenings of Eisenstein’s films and the fragments of Que Viva Mexico! (cobbled together posthumously in 1978) that Fernandez saw with his own eyes on the cutting room floor set his course for the Mexican film industry.

Fernandez was welcomed back to Mexico and to a film industry that was growing owing to the government of President Lazaro Cardenas which saw film as an opportunity to build national identity. Before taking to directing, he starred in Janitzio as the lead actor – one of the first sound films made in Mexico, and even appears in Alla en el Rancho Grande as a dancer. His directorial debut, La Isla de la Pasion, caught the eye of the Mexican film studio Films Mundiales, who brought him into the Mexican star system.

Five years later, and fresh off international success at Cannes with Maria Candelaria – a tragic tale from pre-revolutionary Mexico that won top prize at the Cannes film festival – Fernandez was one of the most sought after directors in town. To cement his reputation, he brought Mexican star system superstars Maria Felix (Dona Barbara) and Pedro Armendariz (Maria Candelaria) to Enamorada, and most importantly, the iconic style of one of the most important cinematographers in film history, Gabriel Figueroa.

The Iconic Style of Gabriel Figueroa

Sure, Enamorada recruited some of the biggest stars to make it an assured success. However, the secret sauce was cinematographer Gabriel Figueroa. He was the cinematic cornerstone behind the Mexican Golden Age, providing the cinematic visuals for all the big films from the start to the end, from Alla en el Rancho Grande (1936) to Macario (1960).

So where did an orphan that grew up in Mexico City at the height of the Mexican revolution find his style? One piece of the puzzle is legendary cinematographer, Gregg Toland (Citizen Kane). When the family fortune bequeathed to Figueroa ran dry, he was sent to the darkroom to make a living from still photography. His work caught the eye of a prominent politician who gave him a scholarship to study in Hollywood under Toland. It was here that he developed his chiaroscuro style from the deep focus and lighting Toland was known for (see below for a perfect example of Figueroa’s chiaroscuro style in Maria Candelaria below)

Maria Candelaria (1944)

To build his own style, Figueroa incorporated the powerful and bold images of the Mexican muralists. This integrated a distinctly Mexican artistic legacy that linked Figueroa’s style to the pre-Colombian Mayan artists at Bonampak (see here) and the modern, politically charged murals of Rivera, Orozco, and Siquieros amongst others. Compare the two images below and you can see how Figueroa used the bold dynamic styles of the modern muralists in his work to great effect.

Orozco, Zapatistas (1931) vs. Figeuroa, Maria Candelaria (1944)

Lastly, a quick shout-out to Figueroa for the following two incredible musical numbers in Enamorada.

Ave Maria sung by the church choir as General enters the church. Instead of just showing the choir or the General, Figueroa cuts between the two with images of the lavishly decorated cathedral ceiling to show the power of the church over everyone in Mexico regardless of class.
My personal favorite – La Malaguena Salerosa sung by a few mariachi hired by the General. The editing in this scene is gold – the extreme close up of the eyes of Maria Felix (Beatriz) as the music starts, and a camera which gradually pulls away from her as she loses her conceit. Then the shots of the General sweating and seen down below through the balustrades of Maria’s balcony – a class below, that Beatriz must descend for the future of Mexico!

Simply put, Gabriel Figueroa is a genius that is well worth his reputation amongst the greats.

Reinforcing Mexican identity

Just as Alla en el Rancho Grande romanticized the Porfirian haciendas of pre-revolutionary Mexico, Enamorada romanticized the revolution itself. The revolutionary trauma was still fresh and the brutality portrayed in earlier films like Vamonos con Pancho Villa (1936) brought back the horrors of the endless war. Instead of depicting the honest brutality of the revolution, Fernandez used it to evoke national pride, adding to the identity building that de la Fuentes started with Alla en el Rancho Grande.

How does he do it? He ties together the lives of a rough revolutionary general with a spoiled daughter of a wealthy landowner in Cholula in a light-hearted comedy and shows that when the classes unite, Mexico will march forward (as shown in a powerfully patriotic final shot). Two bonuses additions further reinforce Mexican pride in this film:

Lower class General Juan Jose wins Beatriz’ hand from an American. Big patriotic bonus points for this, as the U.S. was never well regarded in Mexico after the invasions of 1846 and 1914, as well as for controlling many of Mexico’s natural resources (Mexico was its most united in 1938 when Cardenas nationalized Mexican oil).
The catholic church is the glue that brings the General and Beatriz together, ironing out their differences and miscommunication. As a fiercely catholic nation – seeing the church as the mediator promoted the role of La Guadalupana moving forward especially in recent presidencies which were fiercely anti-clerical.

Through it’s narrative, Enamorada reframed the Mexican revolution as a war that united the country and set it on course for a positive future.

What to Watch Next

For more films from the prolific director Emilio Fernandez, go back in time and check out Flor Silvestre (1943) and Maria Candelaria (1944) and then go forward in time to watch La Perla (1947) and Rio Escondido (1948).

If you’re looking for more comedy from the Golden Age, the answers are Cantinflas, Ahi esta el detalle (1940), and Tin Tan, El Rey del Barrio (1950).

For more high profile films that captivated the nation, try the most popular film from the Mexican Golden Age – Nosotros los Pobres (1948) – featuring Pedro Infante. You could also watch Infante rap battle Jorge Negrete in Dos Tipos de Cuidado (1953).

Call Me by Your Name (Italy) – Romance from the Master of Sensuality

Call Me by Your Name Film Difficulty Ranking: 3

If you’ve ever dreamed of falling in love under the Italian sun, this film may just take you to dreamland. Call Me by Your Name has all the ingredients for a perfect romantic film. It’s got sun, fresh food, beautiful people, lakes and rivers, and freedom. All you’ll need is a glass of wine.

Why Watch Call Me by Your Name?

If you like sensual romance (also see Guadagnino’s I Am Love)
To escape to the beautiful Italian summer
It’s been nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars
If you like coming-of-age stories

The Breakdown

Call Me by Your Name starts with 17 year old Elio. He’s chilling in his parents house in Northern Italy with his girlfriend Marzia for his summer holidays. A few seconds later, Oliver arrives, a grad student from Elio’s dad’s university class in America. He’s come to Europe for the summer to help Elio’s dad with his research and lap up the Italian sun.

The Italy we see in Call Me by Your Name is the Italy we dream of. The sun is forever shining and the warm colours almost give off the heat. As this is set in the 1980s, before Internet, there are no phones or computers as we know today, and these guys don’t watch TV. Instead, they swim, play volleyball, lounge in the sun, eat Al-fresco, and read. It’s pretty much the ideal summer holiday – everyone is happy and relaxed. Plus, the beautiful environment heightens the beauty of everyone within it.

It’s also no surprise that Elio and Oliver are attracted to each other. Everything you see in their environment symbolizes the ripeness of their relationship. There are trees laden with ripe fruit, flies buzzing on and off the screen (you can always hear them), and fresh water. In addition, there’s the constant sun. The environment is a metaphor for their growing love for each other, identifying it before they do.

Whilst the sensual environment reveals their growing love to the audience, Elio and Oliver are still unaware of each other’s feelings. Instead, they performing an intellectual mating ritual in which they both try to show-off their proficiency in high art to the other. Firstly, Oliver manages to prove his intelligence by correcting Elio’s dad on the origins of the word ‘apricot.’ Secondly Elio gets his chance to show-off when he plays the guitar and piano. The ‘mating ritual’ finally ends when Oliver admits defeat and asks Elio if there is anything he doesn’t know which gives Elio the confidence to subtly declare his love.

Image result for call me by your name

Conclusion

If you’ve seen any of Guadagnino’s other films, you’ll know that he’s a master of sensuality. In Call Me by Your Name he doesn’t disappoint. It’s the perfect coming-of-age story of Elio’s first love. You’ll almost forget it’s a gay romance (if Oliver doesn’t keep repeating ‘let’s be good’) as this film is first and foremost a beautiful romance.

Europa – Darkness in Post-War Germany

Europa Film Difficulty Ranking: 4

If you want to get an idea of how life was in Germany after the Second World War, Europa is your film. It recreates the inevitably nightmarish environment in a country shrouded by the horrors it has committed. It’s inventive, creative, and amazingly dark.

From: Germany, Europe
Watch: Trailer, Buy on Amazon
Next: Wings of Desire, Children of Men, Persona

Jose – An Understated Look At Marginalized Youth in Guatemala

Jose Film Difficulty Ranking: 3

Jose flew under the radar when it was released in a select few cinemas in the U.S. in early 2020. Perhaps not surprising given that this is a humble independent film about marginalized youth in Guatemala. It’s also characteristically understated. Close up shots and dialogue are equally rare as Li Cheng shoots the film more like an observational documentary than romantic drama, watching Jose move around Guatemala City from a distance.

Jose’s life is similarly humble; he lives with his doting mother in a dingy room and scraps together a meager living directing cars towards a fast food restaurant. Jose’s relationships with mother and lover provide the main drama in the film. His brief flings offer him brief moments of freedom to be himself, in a society where his sexuality isn’t welcome.

From: Guatemala, North America
Watch: Trailer, IMDb
Next: Dakan, Tremores, Call Me By Your Name

When the Tenth Month Comes (Vietnam) – Prepare to be Moved

When the Tenth Month Comes Film Difficulty Ranking: 3

When the Tenth Month Comes will move you. Other films may have better story-lines and better cinematography, but this one has the most vital ingredient: pure emotion. Watch it for free here on YouTube – let me know if you find it anywhere else!

Image result for when the tenth month comes

Why Watch When the Tenth Month Comes?

If you want to watch a great film from Vietnam
Witness the emotional impact of war – it’s emotional!
There’s ghost towns!
It’s currently available to watch for free here on YouTube – let me know if the video is taken down or you find it available elsewhere!

The Breakdown

When the Tenth Month Comes starts with a young woman named Duyen returning home. We first see her walking along a dirt road before she hops into a canoe to cross the river. Throughout the opening scene, her blank expression, partially obscured by her conical hat, makes it look like she’s preoccupied or not totally present. Whilst she’s on the canoe, she loses balance and falls in, losing a letter from her satchel. Combined with the dramatic opening music, it’s clear that she’s bravely holding back her emotions.

The story patiently reveals what has happened. First, we find out she has a husband who has not sent a letter to his family. When she is asked why he has not sent anything home, she never gives a clear answer. She says his duty as a Vietnamese soldier is keeping him busy. Whilst the answer convinces his family, the close-ups of her face do not convince us. It’s obvious she’s hiding her husband’s death from his loving family for fear of upsetting them.

Only one person finds out about the death of her husband, a local teacher and poet named Zhang. He agrees to held out Duyen by writing letters to her family signed by her dead husband to keep her family happy and excited for his return.

Pure Tragic Emotion

There’s one scene in this film that will stick with you. In the scene, teacher Zhang stops at a public theatrical performance with his girlfriend which the majority of the town appear to be watching. They watch for a minute before his girlfriend gets restless. But just when they start to walk on, Duyen appears on the stage and starts singing her part in the performance. Zhang, his girlfriend, and the whole audience are captivated as she sings emotionally for her lost love. Only us (the viewer) and Zhang know the pain she must be feeling, but she keeps singing the tragic lines of the song. In every line it feels like she is about to break down but she keeps singing for a few minutes until she finally breaks down and disappears behind the stage curtain. Pure cinematic emotion.

Conclusion and what to watch next

Some films are harder to pinpoint than others. The story line of When the Tenth Month Comes is a bit cliched and the music is often a bit overly dramatic, but this film succeeds where many of the greats don’t: it manages to translate raw emotion to film. As a result, it’s this transcendent portrayal of raw emotion is what makes this film one of the greats.

For more raw emotion I recommend checking out Umberto D. , one of the most emotional Italian neo-realist films. It follows the tragic plight of an old man trying to get by without a pension.

If it’s something more arty you’re looking for, check out Lav Diaz’s From What is Before. It’s a 5 hour 30 minute epic that charts life in a small village in rural Philippines under the Marcos dictatorship.