Que Dios me perdone (May God Forgive Me). 1948. Mexico. Directed by Tito Davison. Screenplay by Davison, José Revueltas. With María Félix, Fernando Soler, Julián Soler. In Spanish; English subtitles. DCP courtesy of Filmoteca UNAM. 100 min.
Set in Mexico City during World War II, Tito Davison’s espionage thriller features Félix navigating a narrative of international intrigue in the dual role of Sofía/Lena Kovach. Using noir visual strategies to create an atmosphere of moral ambiguity, the film reflects Mexico’s position during the global conflict: nominally neutral but increasingly aligned with Allied powers. The screenplay, by the prominent Mexican writer and political activist Jose Revueltas, gives Félix a multifaceted characterization that combines vulnerability and strategic calculation. The production shows Mexican cinema’s technical development and engagement with international trends, particularly the subjective, psychological approach and visual style of film noir. May God Forgive Me proved that Félix could expand beyond melodrama, and established her as a strong but sympathetic presence in the thriller genre.