‘KOFA x Cineteca Nacional’ is a special screening program celebrating the 50th anniversary of both the Korean Film Archive and Cineteca Nacional Mexico. Both institutions have played pivotal roles in preserving their respective national film heritages over the past half-century. This collaborative exchange seeks to jointly honor these efforts.

In October, Cineteca Nacional hosted screenings of the 50/50 Project, a collection of seven key works of Korean cinema from the 1950s, digitally restored and curated by KOFA. In response, we now present seven important works of Mexican cinema produced during its Golden Age in the 1940s and 1950s, curated in partnership with Cineteca Nacional. Taking place during the rapid economic growth and modernization of the post-WWII landscape, the Golden Age of Mexican cinema led to the emergence of films that reflected the transformative socio-political realities of the period, one that had a lasting influence on the formulation of Mexican cultural identity. 

The selected films that make up this screening program collectively showcase among the best that this Golden Age offered to audiences. Featuring seminal works by directors Luis Bunuel, Emilio Fernandez, Roberto Gavaldon, and Julio Bracho as well as a diverse range of genres—including film noir, black comedy, romantic melodrama, religious drama, and magical realism—this selection of Mexican classics serves as both an introduction to the vibrancy of Mexican cinema and a tribute to the invaluable efforts of Cineteca Nacional in safeguarding Mexico’s cinematic legacy.

"On behalf of the Cineteca Nacional México, we are honored to formalize our collaboration with the Korean Film Archive in presenting a selection of seven restored Mexican films from the Golden Age of Mexican cinema. This partnership not only underscores the global significance of Mexican cinema but also highlights the importance of preserving and sharing our cultural heritage with audiences worldwide. The restoration of these iconic films—symbols of a transformative era in our national history—ensures their continued relevance, providing future generations with an opportunity to explore Mexico's rich cinematic legacy. We are deeply grateful to the Korean Film Archive for their invaluable support, and we look forward to strengthening our shared commitment to the preservation and promotion of world cinema." - Cineteca Nacional México