Directed by:
Miguel LittinScreenplay:
Miguel LittinCinematography:
Jorge Stahl Jr.Composer:
Mikis TheodorakisCast:
Gian Maria Volonté, Diana Bracho, Ernesto Gómez Cruz, Patricia Reyes Spíndola, Gabriel Retes, Armando Acosta, Alejandro Parodi, Federico González (more)Plots(1)
Miguel Littin looks back at the bloody beginnings of Chile's labour movement in the 1920s. The Marusia Massacre of 1925 was when president Arturo Alessandri ordered the army to slaughter hundreds of workers, ending the saltpetre miners strike. Littin turned this into a drama of groups: it's a film about miners, soldiers and capitalists acting in the interest of big business. The lone individual to stand out is Gregorio, a labour activist played by Gian Maria Volonté. This casting was an obvious point of reference for Littin, Volonté was a communist and the most famous face of Italy's popular political cinema. Another iconic name found among the crew is Mikis Theodorakis who wrote the music for the film – it evokes the Mexican Revolution-sound of Italian Westerns. Actas de Marusia is a film made in the spirit of international solidarity for a world audience. It's a film about Chile then and now, and about all the other countries where the workers were and are, denied even the most basic rights. So be aware, dear cinephiles: this part of history is of the utmost importance for all of you – nitrate is made out of saltpetre. (International Film Festival Rotterdam)
(more)Cast
Gian Maria Volonté
Italy
Best movies:
For a Few Dollars More (1965)
A Fistful of Dollars (1964)
The Moro Affair (1986)
Diana Bracho
Mexico
Best movies:
All the Silence (2023)
And Your Mother Too (2001)
Letters from Marusia (1976)
Ernesto Gómez Cruz
Mexico
Best movies:
El imperio de la fortuna (1986)
Hell (2010)
Sandino (1990)
Patricia Reyes Spíndola
Mexico
Best movies:
Frida (2002)
Letters from Marusia (1976)
Before Night Falls (2000)
Gabriel Retes
Mexico
Best movies:
Letters from Marusia (1976)
Armando Acosta
Best movies:
Letters from Marusia (1976)
Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia (1974)
Rehearsal for a Crime (1955)
Alejandro Parodi
Mexico
Best movies:
El imperio de la fortuna (1986)
Sandino (1990)
Letters from Marusia (1976)
Federico González
Best movies:
El imperio de la fortuna (1986)
Letters from Marusia (1976)
The Deadly Trackers (1973)
Salvador Godínez
Best movies:
Fitzcarraldo (1982)
Nazarin (1959)
Letters from Marusia (1976)
Jorge Fegán
Ecuador
Best movies:
El imperio de la fortuna (1986)
Letters from Marusia (1976)
Antonieta (1982)
Julián Pastor
Mexico
Best movies:
Letters from Marusia (1976)
No One Writes to the Colonel (1999)
The Beginning and the End (1993)
Margarito Luna
Mexico
Best movies:
The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948)
The Wild Bunch (1969)
The Big Steal (1949)
José B. Carles
Best movies:
Letters from Marusia (1976)
Silvia Mariscal
Best movies:
Letters from Marusia (1976)
40 Years Young (2022)
Patricio Castillo
Chile
Best movies:
Amores Perros (2000)
Letters from Marusia (1976)
Pilgrim (2000)
Francisco Morayta
Best movies:
Letters from Marusia (1976)
Eduardo López Rojas
USA
Best movies:
El imperio de la fortuna (1986)
Letters from Marusia (1976)
Herod's Law (1999)
Arturo Beristáin
Best movies:
Letters from Marusia (1976)
Castle of Purity (1973)
Poison for the Fairies (1984)
Claudio Obregón
Mexico
Best movies:
Letters from Marusia (1976)
Midaq Alley (1995)
The Zone (2007)
Rodrigo Puebla
Mexico
Best movies:
The Man from Acapulco (1973)
La Chevre (1981)
Romancing the Stone (1984)