Remedios Varo: A stunning film on the Mexican surrealist painter, with details of her paintings and excerpts from various poets set to a fine musical score. Directed by Jomi Garcia Ascot. Photographed by Jose Torre. Music by Joaquin Guitierrez Heras. (1976, 20 mins, In Spanish (translation provided), Color, Print from PFA Collection)
The Life and Death of Frida Kahlo: A biography of Mexico's most famous woman painter, filmed in Mexico and narrated by the people who knew her best. “A haunting, mosaic-like portrait.... The film focuses on the events that molded Kahlo's life: the childhood spinal injury which resulted in her being childless and eventually crippled; her marriage to Diego Rivera.... The film shows her mastery as an artist as her physical condition deteriorated. The courage and spirit of this woman permeates the film...” (Linda Gross, L.A. Times). Directed by Karen Crommie and David Crommie. (1976, 40 mins, Color, Print from Crommie and Crommie, Inc.)
Chulas Fronteras: A magnificent introduction to the Nortena music and culture of the Texas-Mexico border region, featuring Los Algres de Teran, Lydia Mendoza, Flaco Jiminez, et al. Music and the spirit of the people are seen embodied in their strong family life, but filmmaker Les Blank does not overlook the hardships of the migratory experience. “It's a joyous, angry, complicated film, fully worthy of the people and the music that give it life” (Michael Goodwin). Conceived and Produced by Chris Strachwitz. Filmed and Edited by Les Blank. (1976, 58 mins, Color, Print from Flower Films)