LOS OLVIDADOS (THE FORGOTTEN ONES)

This was the second time Abe and I saw this Luis Bunuel film since arriving in Austin.  First was in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the Mexican Revolution and now tonight with AFS and the wonderful program notes provided by Dr. Ramirez Berg.  As usual the great follow up discussion with Chale Nafus is always so informative.   How did I ever watch films without these great resources?  This film of poor city street kids shot in Mexico City is very authentic and real.  A scene where a young boy comes home hungry to his mother who refuses to feed him while she's feeding her other children is heartbreaking and painful.  And probably this daring view of life  is why the film was rejected by the Mexican audience when first shown in 1951.  But then it went on to win the Best Director award at Cannes and when it returned it became a hit.  I loved the history provided us about Bunuel's life as a filmmaker/director.  His journey from Spain to California, New York, Mexico working odd jobs related to film reminded me so much of the young people I meet in Austin who are willing to do anything in order to be a part of the film making process.  Another successful Essential Cinema evening at the Alamo.  And so nice to chat with Lauren and Martin, Jared's sister, a UT graduate film student and brother-in-law.