therealfuster Posted May 2, 2005 Share Posted May 2, 2005 I was just flipping out, when I looked at the May schedule last month and saw these films coming up for Thursday, May 5, 2005: 8:00 pm "Los Olvidados" (1950) The life of street children in Mexico is painfully reconstructed, with nary a tear shed. 9:45 pm "Nazarin" (1959) A priest leaves the clergy to go on a pilgrimage and learn about life. 11:30 pm "Viridiana" (1961) When she inherits a fortune, a young nun tries to help the poor. 1:15 am "The Exterminating Angel" (1962) High society guests find themselves unable to leave the dining room after a posh dinner party. 3:00 am "Simon of the Desert" (1965) A religious sage fights temptation from Satan himself. These movies almost never, and I mean...NEVER, play on tv. This is probably due to the high possibility of someone being offended by the themes, which in themselves are not offensive, but can be taken as such. For me, "Los Olvidados" has the most intense and realistic dream sequence on film, that has ever been created. "Nazarin" is just a really well done film and very insightful. "Viridiana" [spoilers ahead] is one of the few films, where a nun basically sends her novice to her possible rape, due to religious reasons, and has the infamous drugged wedding dress and the pathological jump rope scenes, "The Exterminating Angel" is a marvelous attack on the sanctimoniousness of the upper classes, and "Simon of the Desert" is possibly sacrilegious, but in a very good way. If you're not sure you are a fan of Bunuel, I'd say watch some of these films anyway, because by the time you decide you are...these films will be hard to find on tv. By the way, Criterion plans to release Bunuel's "The Phantom of the Liberty" sometime soon, so look for it on their website. They also plan to release Bresson's "Au Hasard Balthazar" but that's a whole different take on life than a Bunuel film. Who else here is looking forward to these films? Mucho Gracias, TCM for daring to show some Bunuel! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spadeneal Posted May 3, 2005 Share Posted May 3, 2005 I second that excitement, 'fuster. The only one I've never seen is "Nazarin," but when I have seen all of the others it was either in a repertory cinema or on video. Never on TV. I'm looking forward to "Simon of the Desert," as every print I've seen of it has been in rough shape. Check out the rock band at the end of that flick - they're a riot. spadeneal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lux0786 Posted May 3, 2005 Share Posted May 3, 2005 Bunuel is an outstanding filmmaker, certainly a master of satire, and with a touch of the surreal. I've really enjoyed Sweet Object of Desire, Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie, The Phantom of Liberty, Milky Way, and of course, the famous Belle de Jour, all which treat serious subjects in a humourous way, at times quite dry, at times wildly hilarious. I really recommend these films, in fact, am envious of anyone who will see these for the first time. I know nothing of but am looking forward to these coming up on TCM, except that they are of what might be considered his middle period. Bunuel's career spanned from the late 20s until the late 70s. I believe Bunuel filmed a version of Wuthering Heights. I have never gotten around to seeing it, though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrtbsh Posted May 3, 2005 Share Posted May 3, 2005 one note - while I'm very excited about the festival, I want to warn everyone that the version of "Los Olvidados" that we have isn't in the best shape we were supposed to receive a restored version, but the distributor contacted us to let us know it wouldn't be ready by the airdate we have a version that's in much worse condition, unfortunately, but it was the best we could do Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
feaito Posted May 3, 2005 Share Posted May 3, 2005 When it comes to a good movie, any version will do tcmprogrammer. TCM has done a great job! As for Bu?uel's version of "Wuthering Heights", I have it taped and it's very good, it's titled "Abismos de Pasi?n", was filmed in 1954 and stars Irasema Dili?n as Catalina and Jorge Mistral as Heathcliff. Strong performances. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
therealfuster Posted May 3, 2005 Author Share Posted May 3, 2005 and where's Archer? Every print I've seen of that is pretty bad, and I'm talking even in a theatre. Yes, it will be fun to see TCM's prints, and I hope "Viridiana" has a beautiful print, as it has much detail in feet, jump rope handles, and drugged coffee cups that one looks forward to seeing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
therealfuster Posted May 3, 2005 Author Share Posted May 3, 2005 "Los Olvidados" deserves commendation in itself. I've never seen it shown on television. That's too bad about the restored print, but maybe we viewers can hope that TCM will show it sometime in the future. I am so thrilled about the whole slew of films that have been chosen, and they are the ones of Luis that are the most rare, most acclaimed and most difficult to see on television, for sure. Thank all at TCM for programming these Bunuel gems! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
therealfuster Posted May 3, 2005 Author Share Posted May 3, 2005 may not be top Bunuel, but compared to other directors, it is still worth partaking of and enjoying. An interesting take on the Bronte book, and I would put it on a level of sublime interest, similar to his "Diary of a Chambermaid" with Jeanne Moreau. Neither are as shocking, and scathingly funny as things like "TEA", but still it is worth seeing. Even Bunuel's least accomplished film, is always more fascinating than the most accomplished of some directors. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandykaypax Posted May 5, 2005 Share Posted May 5, 2005 Thanks to fuster and others who wrote about VIRIDIANA on another thread! I had never heard of this film, and now I will be able to tape it off of TCM tonight. I'm really looking forward to seeing some of the Mexican films featured this month--I've never heard of ANY of them, even though I do know who Cantinflas is, because he was in AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS. Hopefully, this festival will be embraced by viewers, unlike the Bollywood festival last year, which several people complained about...sigh... Sandy K Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spadeneal Posted May 6, 2005 Share Posted May 6, 2005 tcmprogrammer, Don't feel bad. Actually, this print is far better than the first one that I ever saw of "Los Olvidados," so hacked up it didn't even have a "The End" title. Or an ending. Although one comment on Robert's set up. Bunuel WAS working in Spain as a film-maker into the mid-1930s. He is credited for introducing Hollywood methods onto Spanish soundstages, which he learnt in a brief trip made to Hollywood to work as an assistant in 1931. He was making commercial Spanish films and not taking credit so as not ruin his credibility as a Surrealist film-maker. When the Falangists began to overthrow the Republican Government in 1936, Bunuel, like most Spaniards with a Republican affiliation, had to flee for his life. His friend the playright Federico Garcia Lorca was not as lucky. "L'Age D'Or" did not shut Bunuel out of the Spanish cinema. It DID, however, bounce him out of his job making Spanish-language versions of documentaries at the Museum of Modern Art, once Cardinal Spelman discovered he was working there. Sorry to run on so long. spadeneal > one note - while I'm very excited about the festival, > I want to warn everyone that the version of "Los > Olvidados" that we have isn't in the best shape > > we were supposed to receive a restored version, but > the distributor contacted us to let us know it > wouldn't be ready by the airdate > > we have a version that's in much worse condition, > unfortunately, but it was the best we could do Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bhryun Posted May 6, 2005 Share Posted May 6, 2005 Well, I have a copy of "Los Olvidados" which is in excellent shape. TCM couldn't find a good one???? They should try to get the Mexican films from Latino distributors here in the States. This would make sense wouldn't it? Just like you have better chance getting a French film from a French film distributor. I have an extensive collection in the thousands of Mexican films, posters, lobby cards, magazines, pictures, awards, etc. My passion for Mexican Cinema continues. Glad to see a resurgence in interest for Mexican Cinema. Thanks TCM! (IT WAS ABOUT TIME!!!!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bhryun Posted May 6, 2005 Share Posted May 6, 2005 Try getting Mexican films from "MEXICAN DISTRIBUTORS." You can even get them from Ebay. I am a collector of Mexican film memorabilia which consists of around 800 films, 200 posters, 500 lobby cards, 150 magazines, 100 pictures, etc. Let me know if you need any info or resources. I may be able to help you. For your information, Mexican film is very strong in Spanish media markets in most major cities in the US. Sponsorship is strong because the films are family oriented and because Mexico had a Star System just like in the US. Sales of classics easily surpass contemporary films. Due to a decline of quality of films from 1960-1990 most people that buy Mexican films buy the classics. You should continue to program Mexican films because the Mexican industry was partly driven by American studios (RKO)and technicians. American influence can be seen in many Mexican films. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrtbsh Posted May 6, 2005 Share Posted May 6, 2005 we licensed most of the films from Televisa, who controls the rights; a couple of the Buneuls are from Janus/Criterion Koch/Lorber is working on a deal with them for "Los Olvidados" - they're premiering a restored version in Cannes later in the month; we had licensed the restored version, but Koch/Lorber wasn't able to provide it in time (they told us at the beginning of this week it wouldn't be ready) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
therealfuster Posted May 6, 2005 Author Share Posted May 6, 2005 very pleased with the print of "Los Olvidados" which was much better than I expected, in view of your previous comments in a post. It looked better than the VHS print I bought a few years ago, and looker sharper and clearer than a 35mm print I saw in a theatrical showing I attended in 1998. The print of "Viridiana" was superb and it was nice to see clear shots of the uncle trying on the corset and satin slippers, for a change! I so enjoyed the whole evening, as all the films were top notch Bunuel, and ending up with "Simon of the Desert" was masterful, as it is not seen much and is such a marvelous and bizarre film! I can only hope that in the future, maybe TCM will show "El", the one where Hitch may have gotten the idea for the bell tower interlude in "Vertigo", and "Mexican Bus Ride" or maybe "Tristana". "That Obscure Object of Desire" would be another good choice. The whole Mexican festival looks extremely promising and I look forward to watching all the films all month long. Thank you, TCM! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bhryun Posted June 9, 2005 Share Posted June 9, 2005 The Rubin Musuem of Art is showing Luis Bunuel's "Las Aventuras de Robinson Crusoe" this Saturday June 11th at 7 pm as apart of the musuem's Cabaret Cinema where movies and martinis mix. For more information visit rmanyc.org Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bhryun Posted June 10, 2005 Share Posted June 10, 2005 attn loonyluna i need your help you mentioned you collected mexican film. I am looking for a source for nino sevilla films. I found a list of approx 20 that she made , but the only one I can find available is Aventurera. E-mail me if you want . being new to the forum I am unsure how to contact you. This very important to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bhryun Posted June 10, 2005 Share Posted June 10, 2005 attn loonyluna i need your help you mentioned you collected mexican film. I am looking for a source for nino sevilla films. I found a list of approx 20 that she made , but the only one I can find available is Aventurera. E-mail me if you want . being new to the forum I am unsure how to contact you. This very important to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bhryun Posted June 10, 2005 Share Posted June 10, 2005 attn loonyluna i need your help you mentioned you collected mexican film. I am looking for a source for nino sevilla films. I found a list of approx 20 that she made , but the only one I can find available is Aventurera. E-mail me if you want . being new to the forum I am unsure how to contact you. This very important to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts