Sex, Shame & Tears (1999) Sexo, pudor y lágrimas (original title)

Director:

Antonio Serrano

Writer:

Antonio Serrano (writer)

Release Date:

18 June 1999 (Mexico)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Plot:

This comedic drama features two young couples, and another couple of old friends who reenter the two couples lives...

Plot Keywords:

Mexico City | Teddy Bear | Shower | Suicide | Vomit

Awards:

6 wins & 8 nominations

Cast

Demián Bichir	...	Tomas
Susana Zabaleta	...	Ana
Jorge Salinas	...	Miguel
Cecilia Suárez	...	Andrea
Víctor Huggo Martin	...	Carlos
Mónica Dionne	...	María
Angélica Aragón	...	Carlos' mother
Laura Almela
Miguel Galván	...	Truck Driver
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Wes Martinez	...	Carlos
Carolina Politi

Directed by
Antonio Serrano

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Antonio Serrano		writer

Produced by
Matthias Ehrenberg	....	producer
Christian Valdelièvre	....	producer

Original Music by
Aleks Syntek

Cinematography by
Xavier Pérez Grobet
Sebastian Vega del Amo

Film Editing by
Samuel Larson

Art Direction by
Brigitte Broch

Production Management
Dante Aguilar	....	unit manager
Tlacateotl Mata	....	post-production supervisor
Sandra Solares	....	unit production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Roberto Chellet	....	second assistant director
Manuel Hinojosa	....	assistant director

Art Department
Luis Blackaller	....	graphic artist

Sound Department
Eric Dounce	....	foley editor

Camera and Electrical Department
Sebastian Vega del Amo	....	director of photography: additional photography

Music Department
Annette Fradera	....	music supervisor
Annette Fradera	....	score advisor
Aleks Syntek	....	music and lyrics: (song "Sexo, Pudor y Lágrimas" )

Other crew
Marc Bedia	....	production coordinator
Marco Polo Constandse	....	production assistant
Jonas Hendrix	....	production assistant
Mario P. Székely	....	public relations

Production Companies

• Argos Producciones
• Instituto Mexicano de Cinematografía (IMCINE)
• Producciones Titán
• Tabasco Films
• Titán Producciones

Distributors

• 20th Century Fox de Argentina (Argentina)
• Gativideo (Argentina) (video)
• Latin Universe II, Llc.
• Lolafilms Distribución
• Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation

Other Companies

• CTT  equipment

Also Known As:

"Sexo, pudor y lágrimas" - Mexico (original title)

MPAA:

Rated R for strong sexual content, language and some drug use

Runtime:

109 min

Country:

Mexico

Language:

Spanish

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Argentina:16 | Chile:18 | USA:R | Mexico:C

Company:

Argos Producciones

Trivia:

Shares two actors that later portrayed Cuban leader Fidel Castro in two different films: Víctor Huggo Martin in Fidel (2002) (TV) and Demián Bichir in Che: Part One (2008) and Che: Part Two (2008).

Quotes:

María:Men look for a woman that is a lady at he table and a slut in bed.
Ana:Well, I've always been a lady in bed and a slut at the table.

Movie Connections:

Featured in No eres tú, soy yo (2010)

Soundtrack:

Sexo, Pudor y Lágrimas

Carlos and Ana and Miguel and Andrea

This movie clearly shows how good the Mexican cinema can be in the hands of innovative directors like Antonio Serrano. The film is based on his own play which deals basically with two couples going through some rough patch in their lives. This dramatic comedy has some light touches when a couple of friends enter the lives of the two couples, as they act as the catalyst, for resolving the differences between them. Only Ana and Carlos seem to have found a middle ground at the end of the film, while Miguel and Andrea will go their different ways.

Carlos and Ana have some serious problems. He can't bring himself to have normal sex life with his young and attractive wife. Miguel, on the other hand, is a womanizer who cheats on the beautiful Andrea every time he has the opportunity. Since both couples know one another socially, and live across the street in apartments at the same level, they end up moving into each other's places when things unravel.

The happy-go-lucky Tomas arrives back in the city from a long trip overseas and Carlos and Ana welcome him into their home. It's obvious he has known Ana more intimately before. At the same time, Maria, a zoologist, friend of Miguel, moves in with them. Things go from bad to worse and Miguel ends up moving in with Carlos, who by that time has been abandoned by Ana, who has gone across the street with the other women. The battle of the sexes begin at this time.

Damian Bichir is one of the best things in the film. As Tomas, he holds the key to understanding the complicated lives all the young people in the film lead. Mr. Serrano got excellent acting from his attractive cast. Monica Dionne, Victor Hugo Martin, Cecilia Suarez, Jorge Salinas and Susan Zabaleta complete the sextet.

Technically, this film has great visual style. It's a sophisticated look at a the upwardly mobile class of the Mexican society. Xavier Perez Grobet gives a magnificent look to the movie. The music by Alek Syntek compliments what we watch on the screen well. Antonio Serrano has to be congratulated for a picture that stands apart from others coming from Mexico by his understanding of the people involved.