Cidade do México (México), 1907 – 1997

Por Afrânio Mendes Catani

A famous Mexican cinematographer, primarily known for the beautiful images of skies and clouds he created. He influenced photographers from various parts of the world and across different film industries and was one of the rare names credited alongside stars on movie posters at the time of a film’s release. He completed specialized courses in Hollywood and considered himself a disciple of the American cinematographer Gregg Toland. He was essentially a black-and-white photographer, producing very few works in color.

With a long career spanning exactly fifty years (1935–1985), he worked with a large number of filmmakers. He collaborated with Mexico’s leading directors—Fernando de Fuentes, Alejandro Galindo, Emilio Fernández, Roberto Gavaldón, and Luis Buñuel—on films such as Allá en el Rancho Grande (1936), Refugiados en Madrid (1938), Flor silvestre and María Candelaria (1943), Coração torturado (1944), Enamorada (1946), Río escondido (1947), O alucinado (1953), La escondida (1955), Nazarín (1958), Macario (1959), and The Exterminating Angel (1962), in addition to several popular films, including some starring Cantinflas.

He also worked with American directors who shot films in Mexico, such as The Fugitive (1947) by John Ford, Tarzan and the Mermaids (1948) by Robert Florey, The Night of the Iguana (1964) by John Huston, Two Mules for Sister Sara (1970) by Don Siegel, and Kelly’s Heroes (1970) by Brian G. Hutton. He concluded his career with a major film, Under the Volcano (1985) by John Huston.