Gabriel Retes

Son of stage actor-director Ignacio Retes and actress Lucila Balzaretti, Gabriel Retes began acting classical theater when he was twelve years old. In early 70s he began directing short films in 8mm. and developed an extensive filmography in that format. His feature film debut, a shocking film about urban violence, was received with mixed reactions by the audience because of its extremely dark portrait of Mexican middle class. His second feature, "Nuevo mundo" (1976) was censored because the controversy it generated around its subject (the divinity of the Virgin of Guadalupe). Since then, and because of his following films' approach to political subjects, Retes was considered one of the most politically conscious Mexican directors. In the '80s, Retes promoted young directors and directed video. Although he had never retired, in 1991 the critically acclaimed "El bulto" was considered his comeback. This film reunited him with his family: his son Juan Claudio, his daughter Gabriela, his mother, and his third wife, Lourdes Elizarraras.