The Golden Age film that landed its director in jail

“The laughter of the city” became one of the most critically acclaimed films during its time, but this was only thanks to the efforts of Gilberto Gazcón to direct it (Photo: Facebook / Golden Age)

Throughout the history of Mexican cinema, it has been recorded that different artists have been incarcerated, persecuted by governments or censored because the films they worked on went against the norms established for the seventh art; however, this was not the case for Gilberto Gazconwho does He went to jail for one of his productions, but not for the way in which broke the law in order to make a shot to your liking.

Gilberto Gazcón was characterized as one of the most important directors of the Golden era of Mexican cinema during the years of its decline, making films such as evilstarring Glen Ford and Stella Stevens and two-scented rosewith the participation of Olivia Collins and Tere Velázquez, among other films.

It was in 1962 when Gazcón began directing one of his most controversialand not so much because of its plot, but because of what happened throughout its filming. the laughter of the city wanted to be a documentary film about the Federal District, starring Alma Delia Fuentes, Joaquin Cordero, Joseph Elias Moreno Y Adalberto Martinez springs.

Alma Delia Fuentes played Leti in this film, who on many occasions is disconsolate about the future she sees for herself and her family (Photo: screenshot/YouTube)
Alma Delia Fuentes played Leti in this film, who on many occasions is disconsolate about the future she sees for herself and her family (Photo: screenshot/YouTube)

In this film Gilberto sought to reflect the harsh reality of the Mexican capital in his time, showing those areas where growth could be seen, while also exposing groups mired in poverty.

The plot is based on the problems they go through beto (Lamb) and leti (Sources), who are looking for a roof to live under, while the news reaches them that they will be parents.

One of the scenes the producer was planning to do was making a big firewhich at that time could not be done with special effects and could not be done on a set within the most prestigious studios in the city.

From a young age, Gilberto demonstrated his talent for filmmaking, which he demonstrated throughout his career, directing around 30 films (Photo: Facebook/Filmoteca UNAM)
From a young age, Gilberto demonstrated his talent for filmmaking, which he demonstrated throughout his career, directing around 30 films (Photo: Facebook/Filmoteca UNAM)

That is why one day, despite the fact that the same producer responsible for the film had warned Gazcón that it was very risky doing said scene in a real location, as he had done for much of this project, he a fire started inside a room.

As reported by the press at the time, the director wanted to do something unique with the fire, but it turned out to be quite a disasterbecause he was stopped for causing the accident without any prior control and no permissions.

After Gazcón was arrested, the authorities decided to keep him behind bars for at least 24 hoursbecause although he had made a mistake by causing the flames to fill an entire property located in University Avenue with Fireworksit was shown that the filmmaker had carefully prepared everything so that the fire did not get out of control.

For this film, Gazcón hoped to put Pedro Infante in a main character, but his plan was destroyed with the death of the actor (Photo: Twitter/@raulbrindis)
For this film, Gazcón hoped to put Pedro Infante in a main character, but his plan was destroyed with the death of the actor (Photo: Twitter/@raulbrindis)

Shortly after, while Gilberto was imprisoned, the production wanted to show that they had authorizations to burn the place down, though this could not be corroborated by the authorities.

Supposedly, the director was released after spending a whole day in prison and paying a fine, although it is unknown how much it amounted to.

The laughter of the city not only represented legal problems for Gilberto Gazcón, because as soon as it was shown to the public, it received different reviews, good and bad, which made it appear among the most controversial of the epochthus becoming one of his most important productions.

Other of Gazcón’s films that became relevant in Mexican cinema were Street dog Y The boxer. His films led him to win awards such as Silver Goddesses, Golden Globes and Golden Eagles.

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The Golden Age film that landed its director in jail