Perdida (2009)

Burdened by the weight of a family legacy often deemed the nadir of Mexican cinema, Viviana Calderón had long distanced herself from the illustrious yet controversial tapestry of her lineage. Yet, an unexpected encounter sparks a dormant curiosity, setting her on a three-year expedition into the heart of her family's cinematic past, a chronicle intimately entwined with the rise and fall of Mexico's once-mighty film industry. As she delves into a world of dusty film reels, faded photographs, and forgotten newspaper clippings, Viviana uncovers a captivating narrative far removed from the public's perception. Her family's influence extends beyond the realm of production, encompassing theatre, distribution, and the birth of sound films in Mexico - a credit largely overlooked in cinematic history. She unravels tales of passion, with her grandmother's affair with the legendary Ricardo Montalbán, and discovers the pioneering spirit of her great aunt and uncle, who dared to venture into the realm of Mexican nudes. She learns of the inception of Rumba movies, her grandfather's groundbreaking work with the iconic El Santo, and the chilling directive from President Echeverría that pushed her uncles away from cinema into the widow business. "Perdida" is more than just a cinematic journey; it's a personal voyage into a forgotten past, a reflective exploration of memory and identity. As Viviana navigates the labyrinth of her family's history, she finds herself reconciling with a legacy not of shame, but of pioneering trailblazers of an era lost in the annals of time. Imbued with enchanting tales of movie and music legends like the mambo king Damaso Perez Prado and imprints of star-crossed romances, "Perdida" invites you to witness the untold story of a family who, in their own unique way, shaped the landscape of Mexican cinema.

Perdida is a documentary movie directed by Viviana García-Besné.

Perdida is currently streaming on Mubi.