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Mexico Imaginario: Rouben Mamoulian's THE MARK OF ZORRO Presented at the 23rd FICM

Gabriela Martínez

Ehsan Khoshbakht, co-director of Il Cinema Ritrovato, presented the screening of The Mark of Zorro, directed by Rouben Mamoulian, which is part of the Mexico Imaginario program at the 23rd Morelia International Film Festival (FICM). 

Daniela Michel, founder and director of the festival, was present at the screening. She explained that every year, FICM screens this program dedicated to “Films made by foreign filmmakers that reflect how they imagine Mexico. The program was created in 2007 thanks to the great filmmaker Bertrand Tavernier. This year, the program is dedicated to Rouben Mamoulian, an Armenian filmmaker who worked in Hollywood during its golden age and made truly fascinating films like this one." 

The film is a dazzling display of Mamoulian's technique and mastery in directing action scenes. Set in 1820, it tells the story of the intrepid Diego Vega (Tyrone Power), who, tired of life and pointless duels at a military academy in Madrid, gives up violence and sails back to his home in Los Angeles, which at the time belonged to Spain. There, he discovers that his father, the former mayor, has been overthrown and the town is suffering severe taxation and inhumane treatment at the hands of the ruthless Captain Pasquale. Wearing a black mask and cape, Diego becomes Zorro to fight tyranny. 

“This is the second version of the film, which was also an adaptation from 1920 starring Douglas Fairbanks, but I want to tell you that for me this is the best adaptation of the original idea of Zorro,” Khoshbakht said.

Blood and Sand is the last film in this program dedicated to Rouben Mamoulian, and it will be screened on Tuesday, October 14th, at 1:00 p.m.