Little did I know at the time of watching 'Dance of the 41' that it was based on fact. The film depicts the life of Mexican businessman and politician Ignacio de la Torre, who was homosexual.
Ignacio married the Mexican President's daughter, Amada Diaz, and it is believed that he enjoyed favoritism due to this fact. This is why he was not arrested during the raid of the cross-dressing ball which was attended by 41 gay men. Ignacio is believed to have been the 42nd.
In the film, the 42nd member of the gentlemen's club is Ignacio's lover, Evaristo - whom I believe to be a fictional character. Back in the late century being gay was something that was not spoken of, and men married by tradition because their parents wanted grandchildren. As such, Ignacio and Amada had very little in common, and she apparently lived in a separate wing in his mansion. This allowed Ignacio more than enough time to spend with Evaristo, and in the club. Ignacio used every excuse not to be intimate with Amada.
I didn't find Ignacio a very likable character. In fact, I found him rather selfish and did not approve of his behaviour towards Amada, with whom I sympathized. Ignacio blatantly deceived his wife for his own sexual pleasures. I really liked the free-spirited Evaristo (and the handsome Emiliano Zurita portraying this character).
'Dance of the 41' is a classic tale of forbidden fruit. It is also an unusual love story. The film has a hauntingly beautiful score, and is well photographed. My main criticism would be that the film sends out a wrong message, making heterosexuals believe all homosexual men like to dress up in women's clothing. This is a generalization and by no means fact.
'Dance of the 41' has an abrupt ending, simply stating information about one of the lead characters without showing anything relating to it on screen. It was as if the film was looking for an excuse to end on a sad note. Nevertheless, this was a good watch and I enjoyed it.
Ignacio married the Mexican President's daughter, Amada Diaz, and it is believed that he enjoyed favoritism due to this fact. This is why he was not arrested during the raid of the cross-dressing ball which was attended by 41 gay men. Ignacio is believed to have been the 42nd.
In the film, the 42nd member of the gentlemen's club is Ignacio's lover, Evaristo - whom I believe to be a fictional character. Back in the late century being gay was something that was not spoken of, and men married by tradition because their parents wanted grandchildren. As such, Ignacio and Amada had very little in common, and she apparently lived in a separate wing in his mansion. This allowed Ignacio more than enough time to spend with Evaristo, and in the club. Ignacio used every excuse not to be intimate with Amada.
I didn't find Ignacio a very likable character. In fact, I found him rather selfish and did not approve of his behaviour towards Amada, with whom I sympathized. Ignacio blatantly deceived his wife for his own sexual pleasures. I really liked the free-spirited Evaristo (and the handsome Emiliano Zurita portraying this character).
'Dance of the 41' is a classic tale of forbidden fruit. It is also an unusual love story. The film has a hauntingly beautiful score, and is well photographed. My main criticism would be that the film sends out a wrong message, making heterosexuals believe all homosexual men like to dress up in women's clothing. This is a generalization and by no means fact.
'Dance of the 41' has an abrupt ending, simply stating information about one of the lead characters without showing anything relating to it on screen. It was as if the film was looking for an excuse to end on a sad note. Nevertheless, this was a good watch and I enjoyed it.