Que Viva Mexico

Streaming video - 1931

Having revolutionized film editing through such masterworks as *Potemkin* and *Strike*, Soviet director Sergei Eisenstein emigrated west in hopes of testing the capabilities of the American film industry. Quickly ostracized from Hollywood, Eisenstein wandered south of the border where he began filming a highly stylized documentary on the people and volatile social climate of Mexico. Unfortunately, a lack of funds prohibited the film's completion and the famed director was unable to edit the film. In 1979, by referring to Eisenstein's extensive notes and sketches, Grigoriy Alexandrov assembled the most definitive version of the film.