Danzón (1991)

Julia (Rojo) is a phone operator in Mexico City who divides her time between her job, her daughter and the danzon: a cuban dance very popular in Mexico and Central America. Every wednesday ... See full summary »

Director:

María Novaro

Writers:

Beatriz Novaro, María Novaro

Stars:

María Rojo, Carmen Salinas, Tito Vasconcelos

6 wins & 5 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
María Rojo	...	Julia Solórzano
Carmen Salinas	...	Doña Tí
Tito Vasconcelos	...	Susy
Margarita Isabel	...	Silvia
Víctor Carpinteiro	...	Rubén
Cheli Godínez	...	Tere
Daniel Rergis	...	Carmelo
Adyari Cházaro	...	Perla
Blanca Guerra	...	Colorada
César Sobrevals	...	Chucho
Mikhail Kaminin	...	Russian sailor
Rodrigo Gómez	...	Malena
Sergio Colmenares	...	Karla
Ángel de Valle	...	Yadira
Luis Gerardo	...	Juan El Padrote

Storyline

Julia (Rojo) is a phone operator in Mexico City who divides her time between her job, her daughter and the danzon: a cuban dance very popular in Mexico and Central America. Every wednesday Julia does the danzon with Carmelo (Rergis) in the old "Salon Colonia". They've danced for years but barely know each other. One night Carmelo disappears without a trace. Feeling lonely and sad, Julia takes a train to Veracruz, where she knows Carmelo has a brother. That sudden trip will change Julia's life forever.

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Plot Keywords:

dance | telephone operator | feminist | affair | one word title | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for elements of sensuality

Details

Country:

Mexico Spain

Language:

Spanish

Release Date:

27 June 1991 (Mexico)

Also Known As:

Elämän tahdit

Filming Locations:

Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico

Box Office

Gross:

$360,158 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Fondo de Fomento a la Calidad Cinematográfica, Gobierno del Estado de Veracruz, Instituto Mexicano de Cinematografía (IMCINE)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

120 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Soundtracks

"Granada"
Music by Agustín Lara

User Reviews

A brilliant feminist film saturated with the heat of Veracruz and the beauties of Mexican music and dance.

What would a film for women look like? Well, one possibility is Maria Novaro's wonderful reversal of all of the expectations of male-oriented films. Playing with a number of genres and turning them on their heads, Novaro gives us the story of Julia, an ordinary late thirty-something woman, who, used to playing a traditionally passive, "feminine" role, takes on the active role of searching for her missing danzon partner in a journey that takes her from gloomy Mexico City to sun-drenched Veracruz. In the process she changes from object of the male gaze to bearer of the gaze. The film boasts a super performance from Maria Rojo as Julia and fine supporting performances by Carmen Salinas, Tito Vasconcelos, and Victor Carpenteiro. It is saturated with fantastic Mexican music, especially songs written by Veracruz' native son, Agustin Lara. And then there is the dancing. The danzon, where a single glance may give the game away, becomes a perfect metaphor for Julia's journey of self-discovery.