The great popular hero of Mexican cinema, Pedro Armendáriz, here plays a morally ambiguous cacique—a rural political boss who is both of the people and their ruthless exploiter. When he is implicated in the death of a political reformer, his reign over his nameless village is threatened, a social development that Gavaldón seems to both welcome and regret.

Prior to the screening, enjoy a music playlist of boleros and rancheras ranging from the Golden Age of Mexican Cinema to contemporary sounds, curated by Cesar Saez.

This screening is part of the first of three film series that celebrate Mexican cinema and is presented with the generous support of Televisa Foundation-Univision.

Director: Roberto Gavaldón. Cast: Pedro Armendáriz, Carlos López Moctezuma, María Douglas, Carlos Navarro. 1950. 83 min. B&W. Spanish. DCP. Cineteca Nacional México, Laboratorio de Restauración Digital Elena Sánchez Valenzuela. Screening courtesy of Olympusat.

All film screenings of Roberto Gavaldón are available here.