Mexican Iconic Cinematographer Tribute: Gabriel Figueroa 1907-1997
In 1985, I had the honor of studying with Maestro Gabriel Figueroa, in Mexico City, documenting his cinematography career. Figueroa did not see my 1998 film tribute, "Gabriel Figueroa" Owner of the Light Film" short, that screened at the 1st Latino Film Festival in Los Angeles. The Figueroa family was generous with their time and occasionally housed me in Coyocan...the bohemian artistic community near the Casa Azul de Frida Kahlo. As a Chicana, Gabriel understood my interest regarding his leadership forming Unions, street demonstrating with Jorge Negrete, Cantinflas to Diego Rivera, to improving the quality of life for film workers and protecting the image and history of Mexico. Gabriel helped the Hollywood 10 writers during the "McCarthy" witch hunts, which was greatly appreciated by Dalton Trumble. Special thanks to mentor film director Robert M. Young, loaning me a camera and co-producing my film now housed at the Academy of Motion Pictures Documentary department and UCLA Chicano archives library.