Alicia del Lago Movies

One woman searches for peace in a life that offers her little respite in this melodrama from Mexico. Mariana (Vanessa Bauche) has lived a life that began in chaos when her mother was killed in an accident before Mariana was born; the baby was saved, and then sold to a wealthy couple through a black-market adoption agency. As she grows to adulthood, Mariana finds herself often feuding with her adopted mother Dolores (Blanca Sanchez), who refuses to give her a share of the family's estate. In time, Mariana becomes involved with Carlos Gallardo (Juan Claudio Retes) and pursues an increasingly decadent lifestyle with him until he falls to his death from a window during an argument. In a panic, Mariana runs away, finding solace with Sebastian (Osvaldo Benavides), a stable and spiritually oriented man who allows her to join him on a pilgrimage to the rain forest. As Sebastian follows his higher power, Mariana tries to find some closure regarding her troubled childhood by searching for her long-lost biological father. Piedras Verdes was the first feature film from director Angel Flores Torres, who previously directed a number of popular music videos. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

Those who are familiar with social movements in Mexico in the 1970s may find this simple drama significantly more compelling, as the student movements of that period form the backdrop for the main story. This film celebrates the friendship that developed between two high school girls who have each recently moved to Toluca, a provincial capital city in Mexico. Not only do they manage to retain their friendship despite their both falling in love with the same boy, but they are joined in grief when he dies. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide

El Norte is a realistic picture of both the Guatemalan government's oppression of the Quiche Indians and the hard life of illegal immigrants in the United States. After the Guatemalan army destroys their village of San Pedro, two teenage Quiche Mayan Indian siblings journey north (hence El Norte) through Mexico to the United States to start a new life. The film opens with the destruction of the village and the peasants' pointless appeals to the authorities for justice. Realizing that the government is seizing their land, Enrique and Rosa make the difficult decision to leave their people behind. As they journey through Mexico, the siblings encounter a number of helpful individuals who direct them towards the U.S./Mexican border. There they find a "coyote" (a professional human smuggler) and make the frightening run across border. Once across, Enrique and Rosa are introduced to the impossible realities of life as an illegal immigrant in Los Angeles. Living in constant fear of deportation, they struggle to survive as they are exploited by a series of employers. Eventually, their luck takes a turn for the better when the manager of their motel offers Enrique a job. ~ Brian Whitener, All Movie Guide

In this western set in the California territory in the mid-19th century, a rancher tries to protect his Spanish land grant from greedy American landgrabbers. Unfortunately the eastern interlopers bring in a Texas gunfighter to frighten the man. The gunfighter ends up falling in love with the rancher's sister, and decides to spare them. In the end, the gunman is killed during the climactic shoot out. The girl who loved him is devastated. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

Mexico's contribution to the 1957 Berlin Film Festival was the Color-Cinemascope star vehicle Tizos. The ever-popular Maria Felix stars as a white woman who enters into a romance with a Mexican Indian, played by singing star Pedro Infante (who died shortly after the film's completion). The racial barriers between the lovers prove to be insurmountable, resulting in tragedy. Director Ismael Rodriguez spends a great deal of time establishing the folklore and traditions of Infante's people, much to the fascination of his audience. Likewise enraptured by Tizoc were the participants at the Berlin Festival, where the film scored a significant success. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Roots is a highly praised multipart saga of an ethnic minority. And it was filmed in Mexico in 1954. You read that right: the Roots we're talking about is not the Alex Haley miniseries, but a four-episode historical drama concerning itself with various aspects of Mexican-American life. Director Benito Alazraki was among the seven writers who adapted the screenplay from the works of Francisco Roja Gonzalez. Originally titled Raices, the film won the International Critics Award at the Cannes Film Festival. A shortened version was released in the US in 1958. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide