Body:
The Austin Film Society (AFS) is pleased to announce its newest Essential Cinema series, "3 Mexicanas en Hollywood: Dolores del Rio, Lupe Velez and Katy Jurado," a collection of rare gems as well as popular films that showcase the talents of three Mexican actresses who blazed the trail in Hollywood for modern Latina beauties like Salma Hayek, Jennifer Lopez and Rosario Dawson. The six-week series will run January 8 through February 12 on Tuesday evenings at 7 p.m. at the Alamo Drafthouse Downtown, 320 E. 6th Street.
"This new series will look at examples of films featuring Dolores del Río, Lupe Vélez, and Katy Jurado, three Mexican actresses who worked successfully in the film industries of Mexico and Hollywood," writes Chale Nafus, Director of Programming for the Austin Film Society. "Besides being quite talented performers, each woman embodied particular characteristics, at least early in their film appearances: Dolores del Río as a beautiful, aristocratic 'lady,' Lupe Vélez as a hyperactive bundle of energy and joie de vivre, and Katy Jurado as an earthy, sexual woman straight out of a Diego Rivera mural. They were always fascinating to watch and contemplate even when Hollywood tried to push them into stereotypical 'Latin' roles. Comparing their Mexican and American roles should provoke some interesting thoughts about ethnic and gender role stereotypes and how these three women shattered them."
In a special presentation on January 22, Graham Reynolds of Golden Arm Trio will perform live musical accompaniment with the silent film THE GAUCHO.
Admission is free for new or current AFS members and $4 for non-members. Tickets may be purchased online at www.austinfilm.org. AFS members now have the option to buy extra tickets while reserving their free ticket. Online ticket sales close at 3 p.m. on the day of the screening for each film. Remaining tickets will be available inside the theater on the night of the screening. Reserved tickets not claimed by 6:45 p.m. will be made available for sale (cash only please).
For a complete description of the films, visit www.austinfilm.org, or contact the Austin Film Society. The schedule is as follows:
* January 8 - EVANGELINE, 1929
* January 15 - DESEADA, 1951
* January 22 - THE GAUCHO, 1927
* January 29 - LA ZANDUNGA, 1938
* February 5 - EL BRUTO, 1953
* February 12 - HIGH NOON, 1952
Partial funding for this series comes from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Texas Commission on the Arts and the City of Austin, under the auspices of the Austin Arts Commission.
Special thanks to Rogelio Agrasánchez Jr for suggesting the theme of this series and for providing two films from the Agrasánchez Archives. Thanks also to Milestone Films, Douras Films, and Condor Media.
Photos (300 dpi) available upon request.
Austin Film Society promotes the appreciation of film and supports creative filmmaking by screening rarely seen films, giving grants and other support to emerging filmmakers, and providing access and education about film to youth and the public. Through Austin Studios, which AFS opened in 2000 in partnership with the City of Austin, AFS helps attract film development and production to Austin and Texas. Gala film premieres and the annual Texas Film Hall of Fame Awards raise funds as well as awareness of the impact of film on economy and community. Austin Film Society is ranked among the top film centers in the country and recognized by the National Endowment for the Arts and Directors Guild of America.
"This new series will look at examples of films featuring Dolores del Río, Lupe Vélez, and Katy Jurado, three Mexican actresses who worked successfully in the film industries of Mexico and Hollywood," writes Chale Nafus, Director of Programming for the Austin Film Society. "Besides being quite talented performers, each woman embodied particular characteristics, at least early in their film appearances: Dolores del Río as a beautiful, aristocratic 'lady,' Lupe Vélez as a hyperactive bundle of energy and joie de vivre, and Katy Jurado as an earthy, sexual woman straight out of a Diego Rivera mural. They were always fascinating to watch and contemplate even when Hollywood tried to push them into stereotypical 'Latin' roles. Comparing their Mexican and American roles should provoke some interesting thoughts about ethnic and gender role stereotypes and how these three women shattered them."
In a special presentation on January 22, Graham Reynolds of Golden Arm Trio will perform live musical accompaniment with the silent film THE GAUCHO.
Admission is free for new or current AFS members and $4 for non-members. Tickets may be purchased online at www.austinfilm.org. AFS members now have the option to buy extra tickets while reserving their free ticket. Online ticket sales close at 3 p.m. on the day of the screening for each film. Remaining tickets will be available inside the theater on the night of the screening. Reserved tickets not claimed by 6:45 p.m. will be made available for sale (cash only please).
For a complete description of the films, visit www.austinfilm.org, or contact the Austin Film Society. The schedule is as follows:
* January 8 - EVANGELINE, 1929
* January 15 - DESEADA, 1951
* January 22 - THE GAUCHO, 1927
* January 29 - LA ZANDUNGA, 1938
* February 5 - EL BRUTO, 1953
* February 12 - HIGH NOON, 1952
Partial funding for this series comes from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Texas Commission on the Arts and the City of Austin, under the auspices of the Austin Arts Commission.
Special thanks to Rogelio Agrasánchez Jr for suggesting the theme of this series and for providing two films from the Agrasánchez Archives. Thanks also to Milestone Films, Douras Films, and Condor Media.
Photos (300 dpi) available upon request.
Austin Film Society promotes the appreciation of film and supports creative filmmaking by screening rarely seen films, giving grants and other support to emerging filmmakers, and providing access and education about film to youth and the public. Through Austin Studios, which AFS opened in 2000 in partnership with the City of Austin, AFS helps attract film development and production to Austin and Texas. Gala film premieres and the annual Texas Film Hall of Fame Awards raise funds as well as awareness of the impact of film on economy and community. Austin Film Society is ranked among the top film centers in the country and recognized by the National Endowment for the Arts and Directors Guild of America.
