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The film industry's recognition of Mexican culture's vital contribution to the art of filmmaking is illustrated by the Oscar nominations of three Mexican filmmakers. Mexican cinema's tremendous impact stretches beyond the borders of its country, evident in the international awards garnered by some of its leading stars. Film star Gael Garcia Bernal attributes the industry's acknowledgment of Mexican film directors to their boldness and uncompromising storytelling perspectives.

Mexican cinema has always found a way to tell compelling stories, even under certain pressures.

Mexican cinema's inception came at the start of the 20th century when Salvador Toscano Barragán filmed battles of the Mexican Revolution. Barragán created Mexico's first fictional film "Don Juan Tenorio" with the battle footage during the era of silent film. The popularity of Mexican pictures piqued in 1906 when Mexico City opened new movie salons. Movies shifted to embracing political slants in 1908, advancing a governmental censorship that would loom over filmmaking until the 1930s.

By 1930, Mexican movies were beginning to attain their era of golden age status. This age of quality filmmaking was a result of the political stability in Mexico and the disastrous attempt by Hollywood to produce films for Latino America. Hollywood's choice to use Hispanic actors with various accents and ethnicities stripped them of any credibility to make quality Mexican movies. It wasn't until 1940 when prominent movies such as "Ahí está el detalle" (There is the Detail) brought Mexican actors and actresses to American audiences.

The 1940s gave credence to a growing field of Mexican actresses, actors, and directors as influential icons. Cantinflas, who was also known as Mario Moreno, was an iconic actor who accrued the distinguished role of being Mexico's answer to Charlie Chaplin. One key figure in the industry was Sara Garciá, who was dubbed the grandmother of Mexico. Garciá's star rose in the 1937 film "No basta ser madre" (It's not Enough to be a Mother) after years as a silent actress. Another Mexican film star who became a popular comedian was German Valdez. Valdez created the character of Tin-Tan, a Mexican-American character who used the Spanglish dialect. These stars were responsible for establishing Mexican cinema's relevancy. As the Golden age of Hispanic movies dimmed, a new crop of Mexican stars renewed 20th century freshness into the genre.

The 1990s ushered what many refer to as Nuevo Cine Mexicano or New Mexican Cinema. New Mexican directors had notable pictures like "Como Agua para Chocolate" and "Cronos." Alfonso Cuarón is one notable director of Mexican and American films. He has directed Academy Award nominated films as well as small independent films. Cuarón directed "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" and "Y tu Mamá también." Salma Hayek is an admired actress whose career began in Mexican telenovas. Hayek was nominated for an academy award for best actress from her 2002 role as Frida Kahlo. Salma Hayek is also a director whose first project was "The Maldonado Miracle." Another actor who has been a leading man in many Mexican movies is Gael Garciá Bernal. He has appeared in blockbusters such as 2006's "Babel" and "Amores Perros."

The Latino industry's rogue beginning with battle scenes and war movies holds no bearing on the recognition the industry has earned through awards and revenue. With passionate and sometimes political stances on the forefront, Mexican pictures have received the reverence equivalent to that of the American film industry. The uphill battle with censorship led to an industry based on no fear. Mexican cinema is what exactly what it has always been—all heart.


Sources:
"Cinema of Mexico." Wikipedia. 2 Nov. 2007. 14 Nov. 2007. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinema_of_Mexico
Miranda, Carolina. "Q&A with Gael Garcia Bernal." Time. 2 March 2007. http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,859 9,1595499,00.html

"Mexico." Film Reference. 2007. 14 Nov. 2007.