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Program Dedicated to Ismael Rodríguez Concludes with the Screening of LOS HERMANOS DEL HIERRO at the 22nd FICM

Alan Rodríguez

The tribute program dedicated to Mexican director Ismael Rodríguez at the 22nd Morelia International Film Festival (FICM) concluded with the screening of his 1961 film, Los hermanos del Hierro.

The screening was attended by the filmmaker's children, Cuitlahuac and Xanath Rodríguez, accompanied by Daniela Michel, founder and general director of FICM and by researcher and film critic Rafael Aviña.

Considered the best Western in Mexican cinema, Los hermanos del Hierro tells the story of a mother's revenge who, after the murder of her husband, raises her children in a hate-filled environment so that they will kill their father's murderer when they grow up. The film was written by Ricardo Garibay and stars Antonio Aguilar, Julio Alemán, Columba Dominguez, Ignacio López Tarso, Emilio Fernández and Patricia Conde.

Rafael Aviña explained the context of Mexican westerns, which were disparagingly called “little horse movies”: “They were low-budget films, with vigilante heroes, barroom fights, lots of songs, etc.”. Aviña stressed the importance of Ismael Rodríguez and Ricardo Garibay's emphasis on the psychological treatment of the characters over the action in Los hermanos del Hierro.

Ismael Rodríguez's work was disregarded at the time and the film was cancelled a week after its premiere. This lack of recognition of one of the most important Mexican directors was discussed at the beginning of the program. The celebration of his filmography came much later. The screening ended with the Rodríguez family thanking the festival and the audience.

The tribute to Ismael Rodríguez included ¡Qué lindo es Michoacán! (1942), Los tres García (1946), Nosotros los pobres (1947), Dos tipos de cuidado (1953), La cucaracha (1958) and Los hermanos del Hierro (1961).