Patricia Diaz

Matilde Landeta entered the flourishing Mexican film industry in the 1930s, working her way up from script girl to direct 110 shorts and, in the late 40s, to produce and direct three features, including LA NEGRA ANGUSTIAS. In this engrossing documentary filmed in Mexico City, a vibrant Landeta, now in her 70s, recalls those years. Interviews with Mexican directors Marcela Fernandez-Violante and Maria Novaro enrich this illuminating tribute.

"The film is a visual poem about the unseen dimensions, 'wisdoms' of black women. Interweaving myth and documentary drama, the piece gives expression to the dreams and histories that are the legacy of black women. As film-makers coming from different cultural traditions - Afro-Caribbean and Latin American, we are interested in exploring themes and visions shared by these cultures, using conventional formats of film-making." - PD 16mm, black & white