¡Qué Viva México!
Having revolutionized film editing through such masterworks of montage as Potemkin and Strike, Soviet director Sergei Eisenstein emigrated West in hopes of testing the capabilities of the American film industry. Quickly ostracized from Hollywood, Eisenstein, Grigory Alexandrov, and photographer Eduard Tisse (at the urging of author Upton Sinclair) wandered south of the border, where they began filming a highly stylized documentary about the people and volatile social climate of Mexico. Unfortunately, a lack of funds prohibited the film's completion, and the famed director was unable to edit the film. In 1979, by referring to Eisenstein's extensive notes and sketches, Alexandrov assembled the most definitive version of the film; as close to Eisenstein's vision as one is ever likely to see.
Cast
Sergei Bondarchuk
as Narrator (voice)
Grigori Aleksandrov
as Self
Félix Balderas
as Sebastian's Brother (uncredited)
Baronito
as Picador (uncredited)
Sara García
as Hacendado's Daughter (uncredited)
Martín Hernández
as Sebastian (uncredited)
David Liceága
as Matador (uncredited)
Julio Saldívar
as Hacendado (uncredited)
Isabel Villaseñor
as Maria (uncredited)
