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A Journey Back in Time Through Mexican Cinema's Golden Age Posters

Alan Rodríguez

The book Sueños de papel. El cartel cinematográfico mexicano de la época de oro, by Armando Bartra, published by the Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana (UAM) was presented as a part of the activities of the 22nd edition of the Morelia International Film Festival (FICM).

The author was joined by editorial assistant Varinia Cortés, who began the presentation by highlighting the work done by the writer and academic.

Armando Bartra said that film posters were fundamental at a time when Mexican cinema was also at its peak. The book recalls a time when movie theaters could seat thousands of spectators. Like the Cine Florida, which opened its doors in 1952 in Mexico City and had more than 7,000 seats.

Additionally, the importance of some vital aspects in the history of poster art were discussed. Bartra spoke of the relevance of the multicopy reproduction technique, without which poster art would not have been possible. “In Europe, there was a moment of rupture in the history of poster art that reached our country indirectly. The emergence of the Bauhaus movement, born in Germany, with an aesthetic thought and an artistic appeal different from the one that dominated the rest of the world,” shared Bartra.

Finally, the presentation highlighted the names of some poster designers such as Josep Renau, Juanino Renau and Ernesto García Cabral. “Film posters were made without seeing the film, they were made based on the plot and photos of the actors and actresses, because they had to be ready at the same time as the film.”