Maclovia. 1948. Mexico. Directed by Emilio Fernández. Screenplay by Emilio Fernández, Mauricio Magdaleno. With María Félix, Pedro Armendáriz, Columba Domínguez. In Spanish; English subtitles. DCP courtesy of Filmoteca UNAM. 101 min.
Set on Janitzio Island in Lake Pátzcuaro, this tragedy reunites Félix with director Emilio Fernández and costar Pedro Armendáriz to portray the troubled romance between Maclovia and a young fisherman facing both family opposition and the unwanted attention of Sergeant Genovevo de la Garza (Carlos López Moctezuma). Gabriel Figueroa’s cinematography presents the Indigenous Purépecha community as a setting where personal desires conflict with communal traditions and institutional power. The film’s depiction of Indigenous cultural practices aligns with the nationalist focus of post-revolutionary Mexican cinema, while also questioning the abuse of state authority. Winner of multiple Ariel Awards, including recognition for Columba Domínguez as Best Supporting Actress, Maclovia exemplifies the combination of visual composition, social commentary, and emotional depth characteristic of Mexican Golden Age cinema.