The history of Mexican cinema goes back to the beginning of the 20th century, when several enthusiasts of the new medium documented historical events – most particularly the Mexican Revolution – and produced some movies that have been only recently been rediscovered.

During the 1920s very few movies were produced, specially given the political climate that was still very unsettled.

In the 1930s, once peace and a degree of political stability were achieved, cinematography took off in Mexico and several movies still experimenting with the nascent medium were done. It is important to notice how early Mexican cinematographers wers influenced and encouraged by Sergei Eisenstein's visit to the country.

During the 1940s the full potential of the industry developed. Actors, actresses, and directors became popular icons and even figures with political influence on diverse spheres of Mexican life. The industry received a boost as a consequence of Hollywood redirecting its efforts towards propagandistic films, which left an open field for other industries. Mexico dominated the film market in Latin America for most of the 1940s without competition from the United States film industry.

The golden era of Mexican cinema took place during the 1940s. Actors like Pedro Infante, Jorge Negrete , Cantinflas, Joaquín Pardave , María Félix, and Dolores del Río gained recognition. Gabriel Figueroa became an internationally-acclaimed cinematographer and Emilio Fernández and Luis Buñuel directed some of Mexico's most important movies.

The themes during those years although mostly conventional comedies or dramas touched all aspects of Mexican society, from the 19th century dictator Porfirio Díaz and his court, to love stories always tainted by drama.

During the 1960s and 1970s many cult horror and action movies were produced with professional wrestler El Santo and Hugo Stiglitz being the biggest stars. During 1990s the era of the Nuevo Cine Mexicano took place with high quality films by Arturo Ripstein, Alfonso Arau, Alfonso Cuarón and María Novaro. The most famous movies produced these years were Como Agua Para Chocolate ("Like Water for Chocolate") and "Sexo, Pudor y Lágrimas" . Most recently, some mexican movies starred by Gael García Bernal have enjoyed great popularity, including: "Amores Perros", "Y tu mamá también", and "El Crimen del Padre Amaro".

Famous People

Actors

• Dolores del Río
• Jorge Negrete
• María Félix
• Pedro Infante

Directors

• Alfonso Cuáron
• Emilio ("El Indio") Fernández
• Gabriel Retes
• Guillermo del Toro

Photographers

• Gonzalo Gavira