Carmen Montejo

An enigmatic and beautiful actress of the Golden Age of Mexican Cinema, Carmen Montejo was an emblematic figure of the theater, a selfless and suffering mother in soap operas, a director, teacher, playwright, poet and songwriter, and an example of altruism, friendship, loyalty and survival. Known throughout Mexico and the Americas, she left an important legacy that has enriched Mexican cinema and theater.

Born in Cuba on May 26, 1925, La Muñeca Sánchez (the Sánchez Doll), as she was known in her native land, arrived in Mexico on December 12, 1942, when she was only 17 years old. Her extraordinary beauty and velvety, dramatic voice quickly made her stand out in both radio and film. She made her film debut in Resurrección (Resurrection), produced by Clasa and directed by Gilberto Martínez Solares, where she played alongside Emilio Tuero and Lupita Tovar. In spite of having only a minor part, Carmen Montejo’s impressive acting talent was recognized, and it led to her first co-starring role as the daughter of Sara García in the film No matarás (Do Not Kill), directed by Chano Urueta in 1943. It was also Chano Urueta who guided her to stardom as the young woman of Mexican cinema in the film El camino de los gatos, (The Road of the Cats), which was always one of her favorites. The role of the young orphan Regina not only cemented Carmen Montejo’s career, but also gave her the splendid opportunity to display her sensual beauty.

Without a doubt, two of Carmen Montejo’s most popular films are those that she made with idol Pedro Infante: Nosotros los pobres (We the Poor) and Qué te ha dado esa mujer (What Has That Woman Given You?). Montejo shared the screen with the big stars of the epoch, including Arturo de Córdova in En la palma de tu mano (In the Palm of Your Hand), Libertad Lamarque in Acuérdate de vivir and Andrea Palma in Mujeres sin mañana.

Carmen Montejo also witnessed the new Mexican cinema of the 70s. She participated in films like Doña Macabra, by Roberto Gavaldón; Presagio, by Luis Alcoriza; Coronación, by Sergio Olhovich; and Los Cachorros, by Jorge Fons. At the beginning of the 21st century, Carmen continued in full force on the big screen with Las caras de la luna, by Guita Schyfter, and Corazones rotos, by Rafael Montero. She last appeared in two films directed by Coahuila filmmaker Alfredo Galindo: Prueba de fuego (Las ladrilleras), in 2005, and the documentary Nadie es libre, in 2012.

Carmen Montejo passed away on February 25, 2013, not long before her 88th birthday. However, her memory will continue to stay alive through her story: the story of a life dedicated to the arts.

Festival Internacional de Cine de Morelia