The story is set in the early 20th century in Xochimilco, a region known for its canals and floating gardens. The film follows María Candelaria, a poor indigenous woman ostracized by her community because of her mother's past as a prostitute. María Candelaria lives a life of hardship, marked by prejudice and cruelty from the townspeople. She is in love with a man named Lorenzo Rafael, and they dream of getting married and building a better life together.
However, tragedy strikes when a painter in the town asks María Candelaria to pose for him. When she refuses, he uses another woman as a model but paints María's face. The townspeople see the painting and believe María Candelaria has compromised her virtue. The situation spirals out of control, leading to a tragic ending.
María Candelaria is a 1943 Mexican romantic film directed by Emilio Fernández and written by him in collaboration with Mauricio Magdaleno. The film stars Dolores del Río and Pedro Armendáriz in the leading roles. It holds a significant place in cinema history as the first Mexican film to be screened at the Cannes International Film Festival, where it won the Grand Prix (now known as the Palme d'Or), making it the first Latin American film to receive this prestigious award. Additionally, María Candelaria later won a Silver Ariel Award for Best Cinematography, further cementing its status as a classic of Mexican cinema.
However, tragedy strikes when a painter in the town asks María Candelaria to pose for him. When she refuses, he uses another woman as a model but paints María's face. The townspeople see the painting and believe María Candelaria has compromised her virtue. The situation spirals out of control, leading to a tragic ending.
María Candelaria is a 1943 Mexican romantic film directed by Emilio Fernández and written by him in collaboration with Mauricio Magdaleno. The film stars Dolores del Río and Pedro Armendáriz in the leading roles. It holds a significant place in cinema history as the first Mexican film to be screened at the Cannes International Film Festival, where it won the Grand Prix (now known as the Palme d'Or), making it the first Latin American film to receive this prestigious award. Additionally, María Candelaria later won a Silver Ariel Award for Best Cinematography, further cementing its status as a classic of Mexican cinema.
