Que Viva Mexico

Que Viva Mexico is a film that is being portrayed about the history, culture and the life of Mexico. Sergei Eisenstein, had a vision of Mexico that one day it could and should be a modern state. His vision begins with the opening of the film including artifacts from the Mayan ancestry and foretells the troubles between the indigenous people and the Spanish European conquistadors. Eisensteins goal of the movie was to include six episodes that represented the poetic and visual ways of tying in the Mexican Revolution with the troubles of the two ethnic cultures in the film. Eisenstein captures different scenes in his episodes to which they are representing both the Spanish and the Indigenous culture. For example, there are scenes under the ancient pyramids which express a sense of calmness and peace, the Easter sacrifice is being reenacted and the celebration of death in the festivities known as Day of the Dead. Eisenstein does a great job of using his filming idea to bring together the Mexican life with also the nature theme of film drama.

The first episode I recall is entitled “The Conquest” which we see the reenactment of the Stations of the Cross that is traditionally taught and known to both the Spanish and Indigenous people. This scene represents the cruelty of the past during this conquest. Robe claims that during this particular scene tends to emphasize the strength of the Church and not the fact that a person can receive a sense of higher and spiritual state by practicing self denial.
The next scene is “Sandunga” which is taking place in Tehuantepec. The scene shows the civilization before any contact of the Spanish Europeans occurred. A wedding is taking place amongst two lovers of the native land.
Next is, “Fiesta” which captures the native sport of bullfighting by the Spaniards. It shows the Spanish culture influencing the traditional Mexican life.
Followed is the episode “Magey” which expresses a sense of hostility, aggression, and macho-ness. The magey cactus fields are present along with the hacienda.
“Soldadera” was the scene that was uncompleted and unfinished. Instead original footage of the Mexican Revolution was placed in order to complete this section of the scene.
The epilogue holds the last scene showing the urban life of Mexico. It also celebrates Day of the Dead with respecting those who have pasted on and are commemorated. The faces behind the masks are then revealed showing faces of young people: the future of Mexico.

Robe writes that this particular film went against Hollywood’s criteria for a film and that they would not play Que Viva Mexico. This film captures the true stages of a country who loses it calm, peaceful lands to a culture who influences there life by dominating their existence.