Landeta, Matilde (1910–1999)

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Landeta, Matilde (1910–1999)

Mexican filmmaker. Born Matilde Landeta, Sept 20, 1910, in Mexico City, Mexico; died Jan 26, 1999, in Mexico City; sister of Eduardo Landeta (actor).

Intent on directing, took a job as a script supervisor (1933); after 12 years and with considerable opposition from the Directors' Association, was finally allowed to serve as an assistant director (1944); worked with some of Mexico's best filmmakers, Emilio Fernandez, Julio Bracho, and Roberto Gavaldon (1944–47); with brother and several colleagues, formed Tecnicos y Actores Cinematograficos Associados (TACMA, 1947); directed 1st feature, Lola Casanova (1948), based on novel by Francisco Rojas Gonzalez, then directed her own adaptation of another Gonzalez novel, La Negra Augustius, to great success; released most controversial film, Trotacalles (Streetwalkers, 1951); after a confrontation with director of National Cinematographic Bank, was barred from working for Mexican film industry (1956–62); at age 78, directed the feature Nocturna a Rosario (1991); subject of Patricia Martínez de Velasco documentary Matilde Landeta (1992). Awarded Ariel Award (Mexican equivalent of Academy Award) for screenplay Tribunal para menores.

See also Women in World History.

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