Que Viva Mexico!

¡Qué viva México! is an attempt by the director, Grigory Aleksandrov, to recreate an unfinished documentary film that he filmed in Mexico in 1931 with master director, Sergei Eisenstein, and cameraman, Edouard Tisse. Because the project was being funded by American investors, the original film material in those years was detained in Hollywood. It subsequently only ended up in the Soviet Union in the late 1970s, long since when two of the original film crew has passed.

Using Eisenstein’s libretto, articles, drawings and memoirs, Aleksandrov tried to get as close as possible to his intent in editing and narration. The film consists of a prologue, four short stories, and an epilogue that recount the history, age-old traditions, and culture of the beautiful country and people of Mexico.

The unique footage you’ll see in this film should be of great interest not only to film buffs who can’t wait to behold a mysterious lost Eisenstein classic, but also tourists and global citizens who will marvel at the tasteful, vibrant way Mexico is captured. The film demonstrates the transition of Mexican history from the Aztecs and Mayans to the revolution of the early 20th century. Along the way, you’ll get acquainted with the Mexico of pre-Columbian times, visit the bullfights, observe a touching love story, and also see the magnificent frescoes of Orozco, Siqueiros and Rivera.

• 1930s
• English subtitles
• Soviet Union