Mask and Masculinity: Culture, Modernity, and Gender Identity in the Mexican Lucha Libre films of El Santo

Author: Lieberman, Evan

Source: Studies in Hispanic Cinemas (new title: Studies in Spanish & Latin-American Cinemas), Volume 6, Number 1, December 2009 , pp. 3-17(15)

Publisher: Intellect

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Abstract:

Though ignored or reviled by critics of the Mexican cinema because of their folkloric character, the films of lucha libre star El Santo are important texts for understanding the transitions taking place in Mexican culture in the 1960s and 1970s. The Santo film's representations of technology, modernity, and most significantly gender relations mark a decisive shift away from traditional formulations to point towards a contemporary engagement of these issues that, contrary to the claims of most scholars, acutely reflect the social dynamics of this turbulent period in Mexico's development.

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Keywords: Santo; Lucha Libre; Mexican Popular Cinema; Masks; Masculinity; Wrestling Films

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1386/shci.6.1.3/1

Affiliations: 1: Cleveland State University.

Publication date: 2009-12-01

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The journal is dedicated to the study of Spanish-speaking cinemas. Our target readership includes students, teachers and scholars. The journal is written in English to maximize the opportunities for contact between academic disciplines such as Media, Film Studies, Latin American and Post- colonial Studies, as well as Hispanic Studies, thereby encouraging an inter-cultural and inter-disciplinary focus.
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