Mexican films based on great books screened at Instituto Cervantes

A SCENE from Pedro Páramo

THIS MONTH, the Instituto Cervantes and the Embassy of Mexico will treat moviegoers to “La Literatura en el cine mexicano,” a series of Mexican films based on classic literary works. The film cycle, to be held every Saturday at the new Instituto Cervantes branch in Intramuros, is an invitation to discover the richness and variety of Mexican literature and cinema.
The classic films from the “Golden Period” of Mexican Cinema — La rosa blanca (1961), Los albañiles (1966), Doña Bárbara (1943), Santa (1931), and Pedro Páramo (1943) — will be screened at the Instituto Cervantes de Manila Intramuros every Saturday of September, at 6 p.m.
The film series kicked off last Saturday with La rosa blanca, and continues on Sept. 8 with Los albañiles. Directed by Jorge Fons in 1976, the film explores several cases of corruption linked to some unsolved crimes.
The drama Doña Bárbara, based on the classic novel by Rómulo Gallegos, will be shown on Sept. 15. After studying law in Caracas, Santos Luzardo returns to take charge of his herd in Altamira, in the Venezuelan plain controlled by Doña Barbara. The woman has the peasants under her thumb, through a mixture of guile, a firm hand, and witchcraft. The encounter between Doña Barbara and Santos causes her to fall in love with the young man and to try to make him her’s whatever the cost.
The melodrama Santa will be shown on Sept. 22. Based on a novel by Federico Gamboa, it was directed by Antonio Moreno in 1931. It tells the story of Santa, a humble girl who lives happily with her family in a small town until Marcelino, a soldier, seduces and abandons her. Because of this she suffers the shame of being thrown out of her home and being condemned to prostitution.
The film series will conclude on Sept. 29 with the drama Pedro Páramo, directed by Carlos Velo in 1966. Based on the novel by Juan Rulfo, it is about Juan Preciado, who, walking through the Jalisco mountains, arrives at Comala looking for his father, Pedro Páramo, to demand what is rightfully his, due to a promise given to his mother on her death bed.
All the films are in Spanish with English subtitles. Entrance is free on a first-come, first-served basis. For details visit http://manila.cervantes.es or www.facebook.com/InstitutoCervantesManila.
The new Intramuros, Manila branch of Instituto Cervantes is located at Casa Azul, Plaza San Luis Complex, next to San Agustin Church.