So far
in our pre-departure orientation class, we have learned a lot about the history
of Oaxaca through both in-class sessions and our own personal research. While
the history of Oaxaca is extraordinarily interesting, I thought it would be fun
to focus on some famous faces of Oaxaca that aren't historic figures, but
rather, pop-culture icons that are relevant today.
Patricia Reyes Spíndola was born July 11, 1953 in Oaxaca City. She is a famous actress who has had major roles in films such as Frida (2002), Del otro lado (1999), and Las razones del corazón (2011). She won the Ariel Prize for her roles in Los motivos de Luz and La reina de la noche, which are a major motion picture and a Mexican telenovela, respectively. She is a member of the board of the "Mexican Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and in 1998, she was chosen to be a judge at a very prestigious film festival in Spain called "San Sebastian." Currently, Spíndola owns and operates a small acting school with her sister in Mexico City. Today, you can see her in the AMC hit series "Fear the
Walking Dead" where she plays Griselda Salazar.
Lupita Tovar was born on July 27, 1910 also in Oaxaca City. In 1930, she got her first role at Universal Studios in the Spanish version of "The Cat Creeps." Tovar began filming more and more movies with the same producer, Paul Kohner. In 1932, they were married and Kohner became one of the top agents in Hollywood. One of Tovar's biggest films was Universal's Spanish Dracula. Perhaps her most groundbreaking role was a film "Santa" (1932) which was the first Mexican talkie film. Tovar gave up making films in the 1940's and is still alive today at age 105.
Lily Downs was born in Tlaxiaco, Oaxaca on September 19, 1968. She was born to the Mixtec singer Anita Sanchez and a Scottish-American art professor and filmaker, Allen Downs. She grew up in Oaxaca, California, and then Minesota where she attended the University of Minesota with a major in voice and anthropology. This musician is often accompanied by her band, La Misteriosa. Her music is often political and about social justice. Downs has recieved a Latin Grammy and a Grammy nomination additionally she has performed at Carnegie Hall, the Scared Music Festival and the Latino Inaugural Ball for President Obama. Her music has been heard on the soundtracks of many major motion pictures.
Patricia Reyes Spíndola was born July 11, 1953 in Oaxaca City. She is a famous actress who has had major roles in films such as Frida (2002), Del otro lado (1999), and Las razones del corazón (2011). She won the Ariel Prize for her roles in Los motivos de Luz and La reina de la noche, which are a major motion picture and a Mexican telenovela, respectively. She is a member of the board of the "Mexican Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and in 1998, she was chosen to be a judge at a very prestigious film festival in Spain called "San Sebastian." Currently, Spíndola owns and operates a small acting school with her sister in Mexico City. Today, you can see her in the AMC hit series "Fear the
Walking Dead" where she plays Griselda Salazar.
Lupita Tovar was born on July 27, 1910 also in Oaxaca City. In 1930, she got her first role at Universal Studios in the Spanish version of "The Cat Creeps." Tovar began filming more and more movies with the same producer, Paul Kohner. In 1932, they were married and Kohner became one of the top agents in Hollywood. One of Tovar's biggest films was Universal's Spanish Dracula. Perhaps her most groundbreaking role was a film "Santa" (1932) which was the first Mexican talkie film. Tovar gave up making films in the 1940's and is still alive today at age 105.
Lily Downs was born in Tlaxiaco, Oaxaca on September 19, 1968. She was born to the Mixtec singer Anita Sanchez and a Scottish-American art professor and filmaker, Allen Downs. She grew up in Oaxaca, California, and then Minesota where she attended the University of Minesota with a major in voice and anthropology. This musician is often accompanied by her band, La Misteriosa. Her music is often political and about social justice. Downs has recieved a Latin Grammy and a Grammy nomination additionally she has performed at Carnegie Hall, the Scared Music Festival and the Latino Inaugural Ball for President Obama. Her music has been heard on the soundtracks of many major motion pictures.
I like how you focused on artists and musicians for this post, Allison, especially since Oaxaca has such a vibrant arts scene! I didn't realize that one of the actresses in "Frida" was from Oaxaca - I'll have to watch the movie again now that I know! :)
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