<br /><div class="MsoNormal">In the Russian film “Que Viva México!” the viewer gets an interesting look at the somewhat extreme changes in the lifestyle of the people of Mexico before the Mexican Revolution. This country was not very well known in Europe or Asia at this time, perhaps that is why the film covers many different topics and is quite dramatic at some points. This would give other parts of the world a glimpse into what it would be like to live in this corner of the world, which some seemed to think was backward compared to their ways of life. Although this film may not help to cast the Mexicans in a more civilized light, showing customs and traditions that had been long outdated in other countries. This, however, seems to be the thing that fascinated the filmmaker, Sergei Einstein, the most. His unconventional approach to this film shows the important connections that he wanted to make with his viewers. By not making a film completely with actors and using some documentary type film footage, the film immediately takes on a more serious tone. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">One can first comment on the style of production of the film, noting that it is part documentary and part a movie for a general audience. The beginning of the film shows the ancient architecture of Mexico, with barely any people, showing the almost prehistoric side of this country. The next part shows how very simple life used to be for the everyday person. The girl’s biggest worry is to get enough gold coins on her necklace for her dowry. Scenes like the former and the parade celebration clash with the unfinished end of the movie, that focuses more on the Revolution. Einstein makes these very opposing comparisons, like when he first shows the large plants that the men collect the pulp from. This is an everyday and almost completely harmless job for these people. The next time we see these large plants, it is in the middle of a shootout as the Revolution begins. Einstein is showing the audience how quickly the lives of the people in Mexico had changed from peaceful to disastrous. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Continuing with the theme of a change in lifestyle, the director also shows the difficulties of everyday life for Mexicans, especially in the lower classes. A man who is trying to marry his lover has her taken away by a man who is obviously of a higher class. This unfortunate man can do nothing to the man because of his social status. This also is only a few scenes before the start of the fighting, setting a dark mood. The fact that the movie was still produce so many years after it was shot and without an ending shows just how important the filmmakers believed this work was. It commented on many of the struggles of the Mexicans before and during their Revolution, educating people who knew very little about this country.</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1328590662320988729-3142946897379730621?l=kmclean5-history475.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>
