Gabriel Figueroa
Encyclopedia
Gabriel Figueroa Mateos (April 24, 1907 – April 27, 1997) was a Mexican
cinematographer
who worked both in Mexican cinema and Hollywood.
His mother died after giving birth to him. His father, unable to cope with the loss of his wife, left Gabriel and his brother Roberto to be cared for by their aunts. He studied painting
at the Academia de San Carlos, and at the age of 16 he became interested in photography
thanks to José Guadalupe Velasco. He later befriended other photographer, such as Gilberto Martínez Solares and Raúl Martínez Solares, and these three would then move on to cinematography
.
Gabriel made his entry in the movie industry in 1932 as a photographer of stills for the film Revolución of Miguel Contreras Torres. He was later one of the 20 cinematographers hired for the Howard Hawks
film Viva Villa!
. After a few jobs he obtained a scholarship to study in the United States
where Gregg Toland
taught Figueroa his own style of lighting techniques.
Back in Mexico, his first film was Fernando de Fuentes
's Allá en el Rancho Grande
(1936) which would become one of the most popular films in Mexico and Latin America
, and gave him his first award at the Venice Film Festival
. He filmed 235 movies over 50 years, including Los Olvidados
by Luis Buñuel
, The Night of the Iguana
by John Huston
, The Fugitive
by John Ford
, and Río Escondido by Emilio Fernández
.
One of his main collaborators was Fernández, with whom he shot twenty films, some of which won prizes at the Venice Film Festival
, the Cannes Film Festival
, and the Berlin Film Festival. After collaborating with Fernández and Buñuel on their films with such actors as Dolores del Río
, Pedro Armendáriz
, María Félix
, Jorge Negrete
, Columba Domínguez
, and Silvia Pinal
, Figueroa has come to be regarded one of the most influential cinematographers in México.
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
cinematographer
Cinematographer
A cinematographer is one photographing with a motion picture camera . The title is generally equivalent to director of photography , used to designate a chief over the camera and lighting crews working on a film, responsible for achieving artistic and technical decisions related to the image...
who worked both in Mexican cinema and Hollywood.
His mother died after giving birth to him. His father, unable to cope with the loss of his wife, left Gabriel and his brother Roberto to be cared for by their aunts. He studied painting
Painting
Painting is the practice of applying paint, pigment, color or other medium to a surface . The application of the medium is commonly applied to the base with a brush but other objects can be used. In art, the term painting describes both the act and the result of the action. However, painting is...
at the Academia de San Carlos, and at the age of 16 he became interested in photography
Photography
Photography is the art, science and practice of creating durable images by recording light or other electromagnetic radiation, either electronically by means of an image sensor or chemically by means of a light-sensitive material such as photographic film...
thanks to José Guadalupe Velasco. He later befriended other photographer, such as Gilberto Martínez Solares and Raúl Martínez Solares, and these three would then move on to cinematography
Cinematography
Cinematography is the making of lighting and camera choices when recording photographic images for cinema. It is closely related to the art of still photography...
.
Gabriel made his entry in the movie industry in 1932 as a photographer of stills for the film Revolución of Miguel Contreras Torres. He was later one of the 20 cinematographers hired for the Howard Hawks
Howard Hawks
Howard Winchester Hawks was an American film director, producer and screenwriter of the classic Hollywood era...
film Viva Villa!
Viva Villa!
Viva Villa! is a 1934 American film starring Wallace Beery as Pancho Villa and was written by Ben Hecht, adapted from a biography by Edgecumb Pinchon and Odo B. Stade. The picture was directed by Jack Conway. There was special, uncredited help with the script by Howard Hawks, James Kevin...
. After a few jobs he obtained a scholarship to study in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
where Gregg Toland
Gregg Toland
Gregg Toland, A.S.C. was an American cinematographer noted for his innovative use of lighting and techniques such as deep focus, an example of which can be found in his work on Orson Welles' Citizen Kane.-Career:...
taught Figueroa his own style of lighting techniques.
Back in Mexico, his first film was Fernando de Fuentes
Fernando De Fuentes
Fernando de Fuentes Carrau was a Mexican film director, considered a pioneer in the film industry worldwide.-Early life and education:...
's Allá en el Rancho Grande
Allá en el Rancho Grande
Allá en el Rancho Grande is a 1936 Mexican romantic drama film directed by Fernando de Fuentes and starring Tito Guízar and Esther Fernández. The film is considered to be the one that started the Golden Age of Mexican cinema.-Plot:...
(1936) which would become one of the most popular films in Mexico and Latin America
Latin America
Latin America is a region of the Americas where Romance languages – particularly Spanish and Portuguese, and variably French – are primarily spoken. Latin America has an area of approximately 21,069,500 km² , almost 3.9% of the Earth's surface or 14.1% of its land surface area...
, and gave him his first award at the Venice Film Festival
Venice Film Festival
The Venice International Film Festival is the oldest international film festival in the world. Founded by Count Giuseppe Volpi in 1932 as the "Esposizione Internazionale d'Arte Cinematografica", the festival has since taken place every year in late August or early September on the island of the...
. He filmed 235 movies over 50 years, including Los Olvidados
Los olvidados
Los Olvidados is a 1950 Mexican film directed by Spanish filmmaker Luis Buñuel....
by Luis Buñuel
Luis Buñuel
Luis Buñuel Portolés was a Spanish-born filmmaker — later a naturalized citizen of Mexico — who worked in Spain, Mexico, France and the US..-Early years:...
, The Night of the Iguana
The Night of the Iguana (film)
The Night of the Iguana is a 1964 film based on the 1961 play The Night of the Iguana by Tennessee Williams. Directed by John Huston, it starred Richard Burton, Ava Gardner, and Deborah Kerr. It won the 1964 Academy Award for Best Costume Design, and was nominated for the Academy Awards for Best...
by John Huston
John Huston
John Marcellus Huston was an American film director, screenwriter and actor. He wrote most of the 37 feature films he directed, many of which are today considered classics: The Maltese Falcon , The Treasure of the Sierra Madre , Key Largo , The Asphalt Jungle , The African Queen , Moulin Rouge...
, The Fugitive
The Fugitive (1947 film)
The Fugitive is a 1947 drama film starring Henry Fonda and directed by John Ford, based on the novel The Power and the Glory by Graham Greene. It was shot on location in Mexico by Mexican cinematographer Gabriel Figueroa.-Plot:...
by John Ford
John Ford
John Ford was an American film director. He was famous for both his westerns such as Stagecoach, The Searchers, and The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, and adaptations of such classic 20th-century American novels as The Grapes of Wrath...
, and Río Escondido by Emilio Fernández
Emilio Fernández
Emilio "El Indio" Fernández was an actor, screenwriter and director of the cinema of Mexico. He is best known for his work as director of the film Maria Candelaria which won the Grand Prix at the 1946 Cannes Film Festival.-Early life:Fernández was born in Mineral del Hondo, Coahuila...
.
One of his main collaborators was Fernández, with whom he shot twenty films, some of which won prizes at the Venice Film Festival
Venice Film Festival
The Venice International Film Festival is the oldest international film festival in the world. Founded by Count Giuseppe Volpi in 1932 as the "Esposizione Internazionale d'Arte Cinematografica", the festival has since taken place every year in late August or early September on the island of the...
, the Cannes Film Festival
Cannes Film Festival
The Cannes International Film Festival , is an annual film festival held in Cannes, France, which previews new films of all genres including documentaries from around the world. Founded in 1946, it is among the world's most prestigious and publicized film festivals...
, and the Berlin Film Festival. After collaborating with Fernández and Buñuel on their films with such actors as Dolores del Río
Dolores del Río
Dolores del Río was a Mexican film actress. She was a star of Hollywood films during the silent era and in the Golden Age of Hollywood...
, Pedro Armendáriz
Pedro Armendáriz
Pedro Armendáriz was a Mexican actor of the cinema of Mexico and Hollywood.-Early life:Born Pedro Gregorio Armendáriz Hastings in Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico to Pedro Armendáriz García-Conde and Adela Hastings . He was also the cousin of actress Gloria Marín...
, María Félix
María Félix
María Félix was a Mexican film actress and one of the icons of the golden era of the Cinema of Mexico and also one of the myths of the Spanish language Cinema for her life style and personality...
, Jorge Negrete
Jorge Negrete
Jorge Alberto Negrete Moreno is considered one of the most popular Mexican singers and actors of all time....
, Columba Domínguez
Columba Domínguez
Columba Domínguez Adalid is a former Mexican actress, one of the icons of the golden era of the Cinema of Mexico.-Biography:...
, and Silvia Pinal
Silvia Pinal
Silvia Pinal is a Mexican actress, who had roles in several of Luis Buñuel's movies such as El ángel exterminador and Viridiana...
, Figueroa has come to be regarded one of the most influential cinematographers in México.
Camera Operator
- El vuelo glorioso de Barberán y Collar (1933)
- Vámonos con Pancho Villa (1935)
- María ElenaMaría ElenaMaría Elena is a Chilean city and commune in Tocopilla Province, Antofagasta Region. According to the 2002 census, the commune population was 7,530 and has an area of .- History :...
(1935)
Black and white
|
Pueblerina Pueblerina is a 1949 Mexican drama film directed by Emilio Fernández. It was entered into the 1949 Cannes Film Festival.-Cast:* Columba Domínguez - Paloma* Roberto Cañedo - Aurelio Rodríguez* Arturo Soto Rangel - Priest* Manuel Dondé - Rómulo... (1948) Medianoche A medianoche is a type of sandwich that originated in Havana, Cuba and is now served in many Cuban-American communities in the United States... (1948) Dueña y Señora Dueña y Señora is a Puerto Rican telenovela based on La Dueña . It is produced by Telemundo Puerto Rico and Puerto Rico Vibra Inc., which intends to market it to the United States' Spanish-speaking residents as well.-History making:Dueña y Señora , made Puerto Rican television history when... (1948) Enamorada Enamorada is the 19th studio album by Mexican pop singer Yuri. It was released in 2002, and sold more than 45,000.-Reception:... (1946) La perla La perla is a 1947 Mexican film. The story is based on the novella The Pearl by John Steinbeck, who also co-wrote the screenplay for the movie.... (1945) Bugambilia Bugambilia is a Mexican movie of 1945 directed by Emilio Fernández and starring Dolores del Río and Pedro Armendáriz.- Plot :... (1944) Las Abandonadas Las Abandonadas is a Mexican film of 1944, directed by Emilio Fernández and starring by Dolores del Río and Pedro Armendáriz.- Curiosities :... (1944) La Fuga La Fuga is an Argentine 2001 film directed by Eduardo Mignogna.The picture stars Mignogna's friend and frequent collaborator, Ricardo Darin, as well as Miguel Angel Sola, Gerardo Romano, Patricio Contreras, Ines Estevez, Alejandro Awada and Norma Aleandro.-Plot:In the summer of 1928, seven inmates... (1943) Maria Candelaria María Candelaria is a 1943 Mexican film directed by Emilio Fernández and starring Dolores del Río and Pedro Armendáriz. It was the first Mexican film to be screened at the Cannes International Film Festival where it won the Grand Prix becoming the first Latin American country to do so... (1943) La mujer sin cabeza The Headless Woman is a 2008 Argentine feature film directed by Lucrecia Martel.-Plot:After hitting something with her car–either a boy or a dog, middled-aged dentist Verónica experiences an enigmatic breakdown consisting of memory loss and emotional detachment.-Cast:* María Onetto as Verónica*... (1943) El Circo El Circo is an album recorded by Mexican rock band Maldita Vecindad y los Hijos del Quinto Patio. The album was released on 1991-09-24 under the BMG Entertainment Mexico label... (1942) El verdugo de Sevilla El verdugo de Sevilla is a 1942 Mexican film. It stars Sara García.... (1942) Los tres mosqueteros Los tres mosqueteros was a 1942 Mexican film.-Plot:Cantinflas and three friends return a stolen necklace to an actress who invites them to be extras at Clasa studios... (1942) Historia de un gran amor Historia de un gran amor is a 1942 Mexican film. It stars Sara García.... (1942) La gallina clueca La gallina clueca is a 1941 Mexican film. It was directed byFernando de Fuentes.... (1941) El jefe máximo El jefe máximo is a 1940 Mexican film. It was directed by Fernando de Fuentes.... (1940) Allá en el trópico Allá en el trópico is a 1940 Mexican comedy musical film directed by Fernando de Fuentes and starring Tito Guízar, Esther Fernández and Carlos López.... (1940) ¡Que viene mi marido! ¡Que viene mi marido! is a 1940 Mexican film. It was directed byChano Urueta.... (1939) La canción del milagro La canción del milagro is a 1940 Mexican film. It stars Carlos Orellana.... (1939) Los de Abajo Los de Abajo is the official supporters group of Universidad de Chile. They are one of the biggest groups of supporters in Chile.-History:... (1939) Papacito lindo Papacito lindo is a 1939 Mexican film. It was directed byFernando de Fuentes.... (1939) La Noche de los Mayas La Noche de los Mayas is a 1939 Mexican film. It was directed byChano Urueta. The film, which is called a "Mexican tragedy" set in the times of the Mayas, is remembered today for its musical score by the Mexican composer Silvestre Revueltas; a suite from the score was recorded by the Orquesta... (1939) La casa del ogro La casa del ogro is a 1939 Mexican film. It was directed byFernando de Fuentes.... (1938) Padre de más de cuatro Padre de más de cuatro is a 1938 Mexican film. It stars Sara García.... (1938) Mi candidato Mi candidato is a 1938 Mexican film. It was directed byChano Urueta.... (1937) Canción del alma Canción del alma is a 1938 Mexican film. It was directed byChano Urueta.... (1937) Jalisco nunca pierde Jalisco nunca pierde is a 1937 Mexican film. It was directed byChano Urueta.... (1937) Bajo el cielo de México Bajo el cielo de México is a 1937 Mexican film. It was directed byFernando de Fuentes.... (1937) Allá en el Rancho Grande Allá en el Rancho Grande is a 1936 Mexican romantic drama film directed by Fernando de Fuentes and starring Tito Guízar and Esther Fernández. The film is considered to be the one that started the Golden Age of Mexican cinema.-Plot:... (1936) Las mujeres mandan Las mujeres mandan is a 1937 Mexican film. It was directed byFernando de Fuentes.... (1936) |
Color
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Corazón salvaje Corazón salvaje was a novel written by prolific Mexican writer Caridad Bravo Adams and published in 1957 after it had been adapted to the screen the previous year.... (1968) Su Excelencia Su Excelencia is a 1966 Mexican film. A Cold War comedy, it stars Mario Moreno "Cantinflas" as Lopez , a bureaucrat from the Latin American "Republica De Los Cocos" who is stationed in the embassy of the Communist bloc country "Pepeslavia" Su Excelencia ("His Excellency") is a 1966 Mexican film.... (1966) La Cucaracha (1959 film) The Soldiers of Pancho Villa is a 1959 Mexican film directed by Ismael Rodríguez. At the 1959 Cannes Film Festival, it was nominated for a Golden Palm award.- Plot:... (1958) El bolero de Raquel El bolero de Raquel is a 1957 Mexican film starring Cantinflas, Manola Saavedra and Flor Silvestre... (1956) |
Lights
- María Elena (1935)
- El primo Basilio (1934)
- El escándaloEl EscándaloEl Escándalo is a 1934 Mexican film. It was directed byChano Urueta....
(1934)
Still photography
- Chucho el RotoChucho el RotoChucho el Roto was a Mexican bandit active in the late 19th century, whose life story has been the basis of number of books, plays and other media since before his death. His real name was Jesús Arriaga; the nickname Chucho is a common dimmunutive of Jesús in Mexico and roto, literally...
(1934) - La sangre mandaLa sangre mandaLa sangre manda is a 1933 Mexican film. It stars Sara García....
(1933) - La mujer del puertoThe Woman of the Port (1934 film)The Woman of the Port is a 1934 Mexican romantic drama film directed by Arcady Boytler and starring Andrea Palma. The film is based on the novel Le Port by French author Guy de Maupassant.-Plot:...
(1933) - Enemigos (1933)
- Profanación (1933)
- Juárez y MaximilianoJuárez y MaximilianoJuárez y Maximiliano is a 1934 Mexican film. It stars Carlos Orellana....
(La caída del imperio, 1933) - Almas encontradas (1933)
- RevoluciónRevoluciónRevolución is the sixth studio album by Spanish power metal band WarCry. This was the band's first release after La Quinta Esencia and with the new line-up. Víctor García stated on the band's website that the name of the songs had pretty much nothing to do with the meaning of ther lyrics, e.g...
(La sombra de Pancho Villa, 1932)
Black and white
- The Night of the IguanaThe Night of the Iguana (film)The Night of the Iguana is a 1964 film based on the 1961 play The Night of the Iguana by Tennessee Williams. Directed by John Huston, it starred Richard Burton, Ava Gardner, and Deborah Kerr. It won the 1964 Academy Award for Best Costume Design, and was nominated for the Academy Awards for Best...
(1964) Academy Award Nomination for Best Cinematography (B&W) - Tarzan and the MermaidsTarzan and the MermaidsTarzan and the Mermaids is a 1948 action film based on the Tarzan character created by Edgar Rice Burroughs. Directed by Robert Florey, it was the last of the Tarzan movies to star Johnny Weissmuller in the title role.-Plot summary:...
(1947) - The FugitiveThe Fugitive (1947 film)The Fugitive is a 1947 drama film starring Henry Fonda and directed by John Ford, based on the novel The Power and the Glory by Graham Greene. It was shot on location in Mexico by Mexican cinematographer Gabriel Figueroa.-Plot:...
(1947)
Color
- Under the VolcanoUnder the Volcano (film)Under the Volcano is a 1984 film directed in Mexico by John Huston with Albert Finney, Jacqueline Bisset, Anthony Andrews and Katy Jurado heading the cast...
(1983) - The Border (1979)
- The Children of Sanchez (1977)
- IntervalInterval (1973 film)Interval is a 1973 romantic drama film starring Merle Oberon in her final performance.-Cast:*Merle Oberon ... Serena Moore*Robert Wolders ... Chris*Claudio Brook ... Armando Vertiz*Russ Conway ... Fraser*Peter von Zerneck ... Broch...
(1973) - Once a Scoundrel (1972)
- Kelly's HeroesKelly's HeroesKelly's Heroes is an offbeat 1970 comedy/war film about a group of World War II soldiers who go AWOL to rob a bank behind enemy lines. Directed by Brian G...
(1970) - Two Mules for Sister SaraTwo Mules for Sister SaraTwo Mules for Sister Sara is an American-Mexican western film starring Clint Eastwood and Shirley MacLaine set during the French intervention in Mexico. The film was released in 1970 and directed by Don Siegel. It was to have been the first in a five-year exclusive association between Universal...
(1969)
External links
- Official site.
- (es) Profile at the ITESM site of the Cinema of Mexico..