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Mexico and the World's avatar

It's a good selection of films, Jeanine.

I recommend these other Mexican films, for those who haven't seen them, which I think are terrific:

El Castillo de la Pureza de Arturo Ripstein

Canoa de Felipe Cazals

El Hombre de Papel de Ismael Rodríguez

Macario de Roberto Gavaldón

Los Olvidados de Luis Buñuel

La Ley de Herodes de Luis Estrada

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Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

Thank you! It’s always scary trying to say what’s ‘good.’ And thanks for the recommendations! For my viewing pleasure!!

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Marco & Sabrina's avatar

Love this change of pace, Jeanine. Roma and Y tu mama are both in our top ten of all time and we have to add Alejandro Pelayo's Miroslava (he's a family friend)!

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Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

Will do!! I look forward to seeing it!!

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Tina Hedin's avatar

I love Roma, and luckily I saw it in a theater on a big screen. I didn't see Night of the Iguana, but seeing it on your list reminded me of being in Puerto Vallarta with my parents in the seventies. My mom tracked down the location of a house where part of the movie was filmed and I remember peering through an iron gate at a gorgeous cliff-side house.

I have not been back to PV since then and I'm not sure I want to spoil my memory of what it was – in my mind it's still an idyllic sleepy small town.

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Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

Roma was sooo good. So all inclusive of so much that occurs, and he really addresses the class system in MX which is very obvious if one lives in MX, especially as a foreigner. I'm really glad he threw in the riot scene--that upheaval was so much a part of the MX mindset, and the plundering of the govt against students. I think you're right to not go back to PV if you want to retain that memory. Lucky you saw it back then! The movie isn't really so much about MX as about raw and lusty humanity. But I felt I had to include it bc it truly did put MX on the map. Thanks for reading!

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Bernardette Hernández's avatar

Amores Perros! Such a good film.

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Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

So heavy but with such a morality lesson. He’s so real.

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Bernardette Hernández's avatar

So true, it’s one of those films that really hits you in the gut

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Chris Tharp's avatar

Have you seen Bardo? A bit overcooked, but man, what a feast for the eyes and senses.

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Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

No, I’ll look for it.

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Douglas Flowers's avatar

Cero y van quatro

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Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

Thanks, will look for it.

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Janice Anne Wheeler's avatar

Definitely looking these up Jeanine, perfect for the cold rainy spring in Maryland. Thanks!

J

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Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

Think you’ll enjoy them Janice!

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Mike Leavy's avatar

Nice list, Jeanine. I would have included all of these, plus Under the Volcano.

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Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

Thanks Mike. I love movies about Mexico. I missed Under the Volcano. Will have to catch it, gracias!

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Damon Mitchell's avatar

Against All Odds, and Night of the Iguana escaped this moivefan's list, but I did see the others. Amores Perros is the one I most think of, probably while walking our dogs on the streets of Playa. Roma was tough watch, beautiful, and painful. I don't think I knew about the embedded history element. Thanks for connecting dots, Jeanine.

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Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

Amores Perros is pretty brutal, the dog fights. Re Roma our neighbor was a sophomore in college in CDMX that year, UNAM I guess. She told me how frightening it was—bc students primarily died. She was heading to the demonstration but her mom called and she talked to her, which she said probably saved her. Who knows? but b/c of that, when Cleo was so near the demonstrations, I sat up and took notice, in Roma. It was sad. Actually, so was Tu Mamá. But all such excellent stories. Iguana is weird, but it did put MX on the map.

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Lucinda Blackwood's avatar

I have to vote for Night of the Iguana as my favorite because of Tenn and Burton and you, Jeanine! 2nd favorite is Traffic. But I haven't seen them all and I must do so. Thanks for adding to my movie must see list.

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Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

Oh wow, Lucinda! I think you’ll like them. Maybe not Perros bc of your sweet little Rusty… that film is pretty heavy. I liked Traffic a lot too. The way he wound them all together, and how the characters, unbeknownst to them, kept passing each other, like ships in the night. And you are very welcome! Thanks for reading.

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Lucinda Blackwood's avatar

Right. Definitely will not watch perros

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Daniel Catena's avatar

I love this list! There are some new ones for me, thanks for sharing. Some of my other favorite movies set in Mexico that are more of an exaggeration but still a good watch are the Mariachi movies with Antonio Banderas.

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Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

Yes, that trilogy is good too. There are so many, it was hard to limit to 6, but wanted a not over the top word count. Thanks, Daniel.

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Paulette Bodeman's avatar

Thank you, Jeanine, for this list. I've seen a couple of the American-made films but not the Mexican-made ones.

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Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

You are welcome! I hope you enjoy them!

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Claire at Backpacking Bella's avatar

Loved this, Jeanine! Y Tu Mama Tambien has long been one of my favourites. Traffic and Amores Perros too. Will check out the others!

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Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

Think you’ll love them Claire!

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Anita Perez Ferguson's avatar

Movies? You are speaking my language!

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Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

Any recommendations Anita?

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Marlo Leaman's avatar

Interesting Jeanine! I’ve seen a few of these but we love watching movies (Spanish language or subtitled). Roma caught my eye so I’m going to put that on my list. Puerto Vallarta was my first international destination 30 years ago, so it holds a special place in my heart.

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Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

Roma is great. Iguana is - different, being a Tennessee Williams’ creation, but it did bring Mexico to the forefront, so it truly does define MX in that extent. Roma and Y Tu Mama and amores Perros shows Mexico by Mexicans. The real deal imho. Enjoy!!

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Dave Boroughs's avatar

I love Night of the Iguana. In part, because of the filming of an area of Mexico that I now call home. I regularly drive past the location of the original set. The area has changed so much in the last 60+ years. Mostly, I’m captivated by William’s story, Huston’s direction and Burton’s powerful representation of Rev. Shannon. The off-set drama between Burton and Taylor is not reflected in the movie, but it’s certainly a feature of Puerto Vallarta lore, having largely put it on the map. And iguana does taste like chicken.

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Lois Thomson Bowersock's avatar

Thanks for the list of movies, Jeanine. I'm always in the market for a good movie, especially if I can learn something from it. I have to pass on Los Perros... I have a soft spot in my heart for dogs and I cannot fathom anyone being that cruel to such wonderful animals.

I'm looking forward to viewing the scenery and learning more about the culture. Excellent post!

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Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

I totally understand Lois. That’s why the disclaimer. A good call on your part.

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