Nazarín (1959)

Director:

Luis Buñuel

Writers:

Julio Alejandro (writer)
Luis Buñuel (writer)

Release Date:

20 June 1968 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

Nazarin is a priest, attempting to living a pure and honest life strictly according to Christian principles...

Plot Keywords:

Priest | Christian | Hatred | Prostitute | Kick

Awards:

2 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

Francisco Rabal	...	Father Nazario
Marga López	...	Beatriz
Rita Macedo	...	Andara
Jesús Fernández	...	Ujo
Ignacio López Tarso	...	Thief in church
Luis Aceves Castañeda	...	Parricide
Ofelia Guilmáin	...	Chanfa
Noé Murayama	...	Pinto
Rosenda Monteros	...	Prieta
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Victorio Blanco	...	Old prisoner
Arturo Castro	...	Colonel
José Chávez	...	Construction site manager (as José Chávez 'Trowe')
Cecilia Leger	...	Woman with pineapple
Ignacio Peón	...	Priest
Ramón Sánchez

Also Known As:

Nazarin (USA)

Runtime:

USA:94 min

Country:

Mexico

Language:

Spanish

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

UK:15 | Finland:K-11 (new rating 2001) | Finland:K-12 (1991) | France:U | Finland:K-16 (1966)

Filming Locations:

Cuaútla, Morelos, Mexico

Company:

Producciones Barbachano Ponce

Trivia:

Selected for the Acapulco Film festival (1959).

Quotes:

Don Angel - the priest: Now they're saying you had a scandalous, dishonest and dirty relationship with that woman.
Father Nazario: Slander. Plain slander.
Don Angel - the priest: l know you wouldn't dare. Besides, if you were to succumb to such a demon it wouldn't be with that ugly creature.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in L.A. Without a Map (1998)

Soundtrack:

Dios nunca muere

A man of God

"Nazarin" directed by Luis Bunuel presents an extraordinary view of religion in Mexico. As written by the director and Julio Alejandro, his notable collaborator, this was a film that put Mexican cinema in the international map after receiving the Grand Prix in Cannes that year. It's a disturbing film because Mr. Bunuel delves deep into what's wrong with the church.

Nazarin, by all reckoning, is a saint. This young priest is seen living a life of poverty in a seedy pension of a city. He doesn't have enough for himself, but he doesn't mind parting with a coin when a beggar appears by his window asking for help. At the same time, he takes into his small room a prostitute that has been hurt in a fight with another woman. Andara, the woman repays his kindness by burning the room and the whole building! Nazarin is seen taking to the countryside begging for food. Andara and Beatriz, two prostitutes from his old town follow him. Nazarin's life parallels that of Jesus. In fact, this saintly figure makes a case for humility.

Of course,Mr. Bunuel had no religion in mind when he and Mr. Alejandro took it upon themselves to create this film. It's ironic how Spain welcomed him after this film was released because they saw it as showing Christian qualities, when in reality, this is an acerbic satire on the catholic church and its ministers.

Francisco Rabal, the Spanish actor, makes a wonderful Nazarin. This was one of his best roles. Mr. Rabal worked extensively in his native country, but also in Mexico and Argentina. Rita Macedo, as Andara, is also excellent. Marga Lopez also makes a valuable contribution with her portrayal of Beatriz.

A great film by one of the cinema's master film makers: Luis Bunuel.