''La Escondida'', 1956 - art by Anselmo Ballester
by Movie World Posters
Title
''La Escondida'', 1956 - art by Anselmo Ballester
Artist
Movie World Posters
Medium
Mixed Media - Vintage Movie Poster
Description
A vintage Italian movie poster of ''La Escondida'', also known as "La Passionaria," is a Mexican drama film released in 1956. Directed by Roberto Gavaldón and written by Julio Alejandro, the film is renowned for its exploration of social issues and its portrayal of complex human emotions.
The movie revolves around the life of a woman named Rosaura (played by María Félix), a passionate and strong-willed character who becomes a symbol of resistance against oppression and injustice. Rosaura lives in a small Mexican town where the wealthy landowners, represented by Don Antonio (played by Pedro Armendáriz), hold considerable power over the poor and marginalized.
The film's title, "La Escondida," which translates to "The Hidden One," reflects Rosaura's role as a hidden figure in the town's social hierarchy. Despite her humble background, Rosaura becomes a pivotal figure in the town's struggle for justice and equality. Her fiery spirit and determination inspire those around her to stand up against the oppressive regime, symbolizing the strength of the common people against the elite.
The film's narrative unfolds as a powerful and emotionally charged story of love, betrayal, and social justice. It explores themes of class struggle, the fight for human rights, and the sacrifices individuals are willing to make for the greater good. María Félix's performance as Rosaura is particularly notable for her portrayal of a strong and charismatic woman who becomes a beacon of hope for her community.
"La Escondida" is considered a classic of Mexican cinema and is celebrated for its compelling storytelling and memorable performances. It addresses important social issues of its time, making it a significant piece of cinematic history in Mexico. The film's title, "La Passionaria," alludes to Rosaura's passionate commitment to her cause, further emphasizing the central theme of her unwavering dedication to justice.
About the poster artist:
Anselmo Ballester (1897–1974) was a noted Italian painter and film poster designer from Rome. He was the son of Federico Ballester (Rome, 1868–1926), a painter of Spanish origins. Inspired by his father's artistic endeavors growing up, Anselmo completed his first works at 15.
After attending the Academy of Fine Arts in Rome, he specialized in film advertising for the most important silent film production houses. He created posters and other advertising material for CINES, Caesar Film, and numerous other studios.
In his studio in Rome, via della Croce 50a (then via della Passeggiata Ripetta 19), he spent almost 50 years creating thousands of sketches for playbills and paintings for film posters. He went on to form the design company BCM along with two other prominent Italian poster artists, Alfredo Capitani and Luigi Martinati
The movie posters Ballester created between the 1930s and 1950s showcased his unique painting style using tempera medium and bold colors. They typically featured one or two significant characters. His style is reminiscent of pulp fiction covers and, like the best cinema advertisements, were infused with intrigue, conflict, and passion. His works were uncomplicated yet rich in detail, a techniqe and style he himself describes:
"To become a creator of film posters ... it is necessary to study passionately, always to draw and paint everything from the truth. Then you can let your imagination run free. Whether you are creating a work of art, or a more humble advertising poster, you must be able to attract the interest of the public, to satisfy both the most refined people and the roughest, who are the majority."
From a stylistic and compositional point of view, Alfredo Ballester began by drawing inspiration from the advertising posters of Art Nouveau, and then he defined his personal code. The painter exhibited a common layout in his movie posters: the actor or actress beautifully portrayed in the foreground, and one or two scenes from the film in the background.
To achieve this result, he used a methodical technique, making numerous sketches of the project only after having the best two selected by the client, he devoted himself to the final painting, strictly handmade.
Ballester's color palette, however, was his greatest talent. The artist used colors expressively, as a tool to convey emotions. The portraits of the stars were extremely realistic but often colored with unnatural hues such as pinks or intense light blues. Ballester illustrated his characters with colors capable of conveying the range of feelings transmitted by the film.
He was written about in "Anselmo Ballester: the Origins of the Film Poster," published by the University of Parma, Study Center and Communication Archive in 1981. In addition, Dave Kerr made extensive use of his images in his 2003 book, "Italian Film Posters, "published by The Museum of Modern Art in New York.
Permanent collections of his work are displayed at the University of Parma, Communication Studies Center and Archive (CSAC) and the Cinema Museum in Brush, Montecosaro.
To see more of his posters search by his last name.
Uploaded
February 9th, 2022
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