Midday with Buñuel: Memories and Sketches, 1973-1983Spanish filmmaker Luis Buñuel (1900-83), known for his surrealist themes and unflinching social criticism, was an artist defined by intellectual ambition and controversy. An exile who produced some of his most famous work in Mexico and France during Franco's dictatorship, he left a complicated imprint on the creative landscape of the twentieth century and on generations of younger filmmakers--including his Mexican friend Claudio Isaac. Drawn from Isaac's personal papers, Midday with Buñuel: Memories and Sketches, 1973-1983 is an intimate and unconventional portrait of this cinematic icon--and memoir of Isaac's own artistic development. The text includes sketches, vignettes, and anecdotes from Isaac's notebooks, revealing his perspective first as a precocious boy and then as a young man. Isaac reflects on Buñuel's presence among a community of exiles, artists, actors, writers, and intellectuals in Mexico City. These are at once touching, perceptive, and critical glimpses into Buñuel's roles as husband and father, friend and colleague, surrealist, philosopher, and iconoclast during his last years. Throughout, Isaac's words reveal his deep admiration and affection for an older friend full of contradictions. Intimate photographs from the Isaac family archive complement the writing, and Bryan Thomas Scoular's careful translation makes this text available for the first time in English. Part biography, part memoir, Midday with Buñuel brings to life the creative milieu of Mexico City and gives readers a privileged view of the relationship between these two filmmakers. |
Common terms and phrases
actors actress adolescence afternoon Alberto Isaac anecdote arrived Arturo Ripstein asked Borges called Carlos Savage Churubusco Studios cinema cinematographer Claudio Isaac conversation declared dialogue dinner director door Emilio García Riera everything eyes face Father Julián Figueroa film filmmaker friendship front Gabriel Gabriel Figueroa Gabriel García Márquez gave gazpacho gesture give glass going Gustavo Alatriste Helena Rojo idea imagine imitates Isaac and Luis Janet Jeanne and Luis Jeanne Rucar Jeanne's jokes José Juan Luis Julio Alejandro knew later laughing laughter León living look Los olvidados Lucero Isaac Luis Alcoriza Luis Buñuel Luis's Madrid Margarita memory Mexican Mexico City Midday with Buñuel mother Nazarín never notebooks Octavio Paz parents Penelope Gilliatt person portrait Rafael reason role scene seems shot smile sometimes story surrealist tell things tion told tried Tristana turn Viridiana voice wanted woman words young