10 · 26 · 13

Joanna Lancaster presents her father’s films

The 11th FICM paid tribute to U.S. actor Burt Lancaster on the 100th anniversary of his birth by including three films –Vera Cruz (1954), The Unforgiven (1960) and The Professionals (1966) – in its “Imaginary Mexico” program.

In presenting the films, Joanna Lancaster, the actor’s daughter, spoke about some of her experiences with her father and the most important features of this legendary actor/producer. She said her father was an extraordinary and unusual actor who had performed in all kinds films of different genres. He was extremely communicative – his hands were very virile, strong and expressive.

Sharing part of her childhood, Joanna said that her father loved Mexico so much that he sent her to study in Mexico City when she was 15 years old.

At the screening of Vera Cruz, she introduced the film in Spanish to show her knowledge of the language. “I want to thank everyone here,” she said. “You make me feel at home. It’s an honor to be here. My father began in the circus – he was a great athlete, an acrobat with great physical strength. This helped him a great deal in his career as an actor because he wasn’t afraid of anything, except curiously he only feared horses.”

She talked about the personality of Joe, who her father portrayed in Vera Cruz. “Joe, the character in Vera Cruz, is a very enchanting and handsome villain, an immoral villain,” she said.

Reverting back to English, she continued speaking about her experience shooting Vera Cruz. She said Vera Cruz was the first film that Burt Lancaster made in Mexico. He came to Mexico with his four children and his wife, who was pregnant with their fifth child. That was Joanna’s first experience on a set. Her father returned several times to shoot in Mexico, primarily in Mexico City, Durango, Cuernavaca, Tepoztlán and Torreón.

After speaking about her childhood, her relationship with her father and his great love for Mexico, Joanna ended by saying that she was very grateful to her father for having introduced her to this “great country.”