Emilio "El Indio" Fernández Romo was a renowned Mexican film director, screenwriter, and actor who played a significant role in the development of Mexican cinema. Born to a Mexican father and a Native American mother, Fernández was himself a "mestizaje" (mestizo),which his films would later glorify.
Fernández began his career in the Mexican film industry in the 1930s, working as an actor and extra in Hollywood films. He eventually returned to Mexico and began directing films, including "Maria Candelaria" (1944),which won the Grand Prize at the Cannes Film Festival and became a classic of Mexican cinema.
Fernández's collaboration with cinematographer Gabriel Figueroa, a partnership that lasted for over 25 years, resulted in some of the most iconic and influential films in Mexican cinema history. Their films often explored themes of Mexican identity, culture, and history, and were characterized by their beautiful cinematography and poignant storytelling.
Fernández's films were not only popular in Mexico but also gained international recognition, with "La Perla" (1947) winning a nomination for the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival. He continued to direct films until the 1970s, and his legacy as a filmmaker has endured, with many of his films still celebrated and studied today.
Fernández's personal life was marked by controversy and violence, including a shooting incident in which he killed a farm laborer, for which he was convicted of manslaughter. Despite this, his reputation as a filmmaker and his contributions to Mexican cinema remain unparalleled.
In recent years, Fernández's films have been recognized for their cultural significance and artistic merit, with "La Perla" being named to the National Film Preservation Board's National Film Registry in 2002. The Puerto Vallarta Film Festival of the Americas held a tribute to Fernández in 2004, celebrating his life and work as a filmmaker.
