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Find out moreOn August 25, 1995, the Mexican action film "Desperado" directed by Robert Rodriguez was released. This film became a significant event in the world of cinema, as it not only recouped its budget almost four times but also helped establish Antonio Banderas and Salma Hayek as international movie stars. Film critic Yegor Sheremet analyzes how "Desperado" revitalized Mexican cinema and became a milestone in genre cinema. The film opened new horizons for Mexican cinema, demonstrating its potential on the global stage.
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- why a formulaic plot doesn't ruin a film;
- how Rodriguez managed to drag Quentin Tarantino into the frame;
- which star was considered for the role that Salma Hayek got;
- why "Desperado" is rarely remembered.
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Why the musician killed bandits
A skinny American in an eccentric cowboy suit appears in the Mexican bar "Tarasco." Regular customers look at the intruder with distrust, as Mexicans generally do not welcome foreigners. However, the brash American quickly attracts the attention of the bandits with his gripping story. He tells about the mysterious Musician, played by Antonio Banderas, known for killing several people in another establishment. The bartender, played by Cheech Marin, and his henchmen become nervous, realizing that this story may concern them. The mysterious killer is rumored to be hunting gangster Bucho, played by Joaquim de Almeida, and has direct connections to the Tarasco gang. The Mexican bandits have no idea that the American, named Buscemi (Steve Buscemi), is actually the Musician's assistant and is helping him carry out his revenge.
A few days later, a mysterious Mexican appears in Tarasco with a guitar case filled with firearms. He paints the walls of the hut with blood, trying to find out where Bucho is hiding. As a result of the shootout, the Musician is wounded - his life is in danger. However, he is lucky: Carolina (Salma Hayek), strolling the streets of the Mexican town, finds the wounded hero. She removes a bullet from his shoulder and helps the Musician in his search for the elusive Bucho. This plot unfolds against a backdrop of exciting events full of tension and surprises, making it unique in the world of cinema.
Robert Rodriguez's "Desperado" is a striking example of a pure action film. The director minimizes plot details, focusing on spectacular shootouts and witty dialogue. As a result, the plot of Rodriguez's second film becomes difficult to understand: attempts to understand the Musician's motives and his revenge against Bucho seem futile. The simple plot premise serves merely as an excuse for Rodriguez to fully demonstrate his talent for creating dynamic action scenes. The film attracts viewers with its energy and atmosphere, which makes it a memorable representative of the genre.
The film "Desperado" attracts viewers not only With its engaging plot twists and well-developed characters, but also its unique style. Robert Rodriguez created a veritable feast of ultraviolence, where each scene culminates in a stunning symphony of gunshots, reloads, and the cries of wounded opponents. This cinematic approach makes Desperado a cult classic, a must-watch for re-watching, immersing oneself in the atmosphere of dynamic action and spectacular moments.
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The film "Hate", released 30 years ago with Vincent Cassel in the leading role, remains a relevant and important work that touches on themes of violence, social injustice and bias. This iconic French film explores the lives of three friends living in a disadvantaged area of Paris, showing how their environment shapes their destinies and perceptions of the world.
The film focuses on the aftermath of pogroms and conflicts faced by youth and the police, highlighting the tensions that exist within society. "Hate" forces viewers to reflect on issues of racial discrimination, class inequality, and how these factors affect people's daily lives.
Vincent Cassel delivers a powerful performance as Vince, making his character a symbol of the struggle against arbitrariness and social exclusion. The film evokes powerful emotions and raises important questions about justice and human relationships.
This film remains significant not only as a cultural phenomenon, but also as a warning about how hatred and violence can destroy lives. His legacy continues to inspire new generations of viewers and filmmakers, highlighting the need to discuss pressing social issues.
How Rodriguez Made "Desperado"
Robert Rodriguez, a young and talented director, made a big splash with his first work. In September 1992, he presented his action film "The Musician" at the Toronto Film Festival. This feature-length debut was the result of his almost solo work: at the age of 27, Rodriguez not only directed and wrote the screenplay, but also acted as producer and cinematographer. The young director had to carefully plan the budget, and he shot "The Musician" for only $7,000. This film became a landmark in his career and opened the door to the world of big-time cinema, demonstrating his unique approach to filmmaking with limited resources.
A low budget didn't stop Robert Rodriguez from creating a vibrant and memorable film that impressed fans of classic action films. This tongue-in-cheek action film with dynamic shootouts grossed over $2 million at the box office and made a strong impression on another talented director, Quentin Tarantino. It was the director of Reservoir Dogs who played a key role in turning Desperado into a cult classic of B-movie cinema. The film became a role model and had a significant influence on the development of the genre.
Director Robert Rodriguez initially envisioned a shot-by-shot remake of The Music Man, but Quentin Tarantino insisted that Desperado should build on the ideas of his debut, rather than simply copy familiar storylines. Thus, the "Mexican trilogy" was created, which cemented Rodriguez's status as one of the leading directors of the 1990s. He completed the trilogy in 2003 with the action film Once Upon a Time in Mexico, which continued the story of The Music Man and Carolina, and among the new characters appeared CIA agent Sheldon Sands, played by Johnny Depp. This work not only returned viewers to their favorite characters, but also added new elements to the plot, which contributed to the strengthening of Rodriguez's popularity in cinema.
The director expressed his gratitude to Tarantino by inviting him to a small role in the film. Tarantino played a man telling jokes at the Tarasco bar. Unfortunately, his charismatic character was killed off at the end of the film's first half, as the director was busy with other projects. Tarantino's involvement helped attract other well-known actors to Desperado. The film also stars Steve Buscemi, whose character was named after the actor himself, and Stoned star Cheech Marin.
Director Robert Rodriguez felt like royalty on the set of "Desperado," as Columbia Pictures budgeted $7 million for the action film. However, with his experience in "home-grown" filmmaking, he used the budget wisely. The film made virtually no use of special effects, and all the stunts were performed by just two stuntmen, adding a touch of realism and uniqueness to the film. This approach not only saved money but also highlighted the skill of the actors and stuntmen, which was a key aspect of the project's success.
Technical limitations did not diminish the dynamism of "Desperado." Rodriguez focused on thrilling shootouts, where the main character, a musician, battles criminals using sawed-off shotguns, revolvers, and shotguns. Spectacular scenes of bodies falling into the interiors of dirty Mexican bars create a tense atmosphere and emphasize the cruelty of what is happening.
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Quentin Tarantino, a famous director and screenwriter, shows special affection for the work of Sergio Corbucci, an Italian director who became a cult figure in the world of Westerns. Corbucci made a significant contribution to the genre, creating such iconic films as Django and Nobody Knows What to Do. Tarantino admires Corbucci’s skill in creating unique plots, vivid characters, and memorable scenes.
One of the reasons why Tarantino appreciates Corbucci’s work is his ability to combine elements of drama and comedy, as well as create tense and emotional moments. This balance between seriousness and irony is reflected in Tarantino’s films, where he also uses similar techniques.
In addition, Corbucci pioneered the use of brutal scenes and unconventional approaches to depicting violence, which also influenced Tarantino’s style. The director of Kill Bill often cites Corbucci as an inspiration for his work, which underlines his respect for the legacy of the Italian master.
Thus, Quentin Tarantino's love for Sergio Corbucci is explained not only by admiration for his artistic techniques, but also by a deep respect for his contribution to the development of cinema, which continues to influence modern films.
How the film built the careers of Banderas and Hayek
In the film "The Musician", the leading role was played by the little-known Mexican actor Carlos Gallardo. However, for the filming of the sequel, Robert Rodriguez had to part with Gallardo, as Columbia Pictures insisted on attracting a more famous artist. As a result, Rodriguez chose Spanish actor Antonio Banderas, which was an important step in developing the franchise and attracting a wider audience.
Before filming began on Desperado, Antonio Banderas had already established himself in Hollywood, playing supporting roles in films such as Interview with the Vampire, Philadelphia, and Assassins. However, the actor had room for further growth, and he agreed to take the lead role in Robert Rodriguez's project for a very modest fee. Such decisions helped Banderas secure his position in the film industry and showcase his acting abilities to a wider audience.
The search for an actress to play Carolina took longer. Jennifer Lopez initially expressed interest in the role, but director Rodriguez turned the pop star down, seeking a fresher face for his film. Ultimately, the role of Carolina went to Mexican actress Salma Hayek, and the film "Desperado" became her debut in English-language cinema.
The languidly handsome Antonio Banderas and the sultry Mexican Salma Hayek conquered Hollywood after the premiere of their film, which became a topic of discussion for many. The Hispanic actors attracted the attention of producers not only with their looks – Banderas demonstrated the charisma of a true star, and Hayek brought depth to the character of Carolina, who could have seemed "cardboard." The film "Desperado" grossed $25 million at the international box office, four times its budget. In the following years, Banderas played key roles in the musical "Evita," the action film "The Mask of Zorro," and the sports drama "Bone." Hayek continued her successful collaboration with director Robert Rodriguez, starring in "From Dusk Till Dawn" and "The Faculty."
In modern cinema, Antonio Banderas and Salma Hayek are perceived as Hollywood icons. However, the film that once launched their careers and made them superstars is increasingly less often remembered in the context of the best films of the 1990s. This film plays an important role in their biographies, but its legacy is eclipsed by other works of the era.
Why everyone forgot about "Desperado"
Hopes for the long-term popularity of the film "Desperado" were destroyed by Robert Rodriguez himself. In the late 1990s, the director created a series of successful films. A year after the release of the film with Antonio Banderas, Rodriguez presented audiences with "From Dusk Till Dawn". This time, he outsourced the script, and Quentin Tarantino worked on the dialogue of the comedy action film. This collaboration added uniqueness to the film and made it one of the iconic works in the genre.
Rodriguez, focusing on directing, fully revealed his potential. From Dusk Till Dawn was a masterpiece of style and screenwriting. Its action scenes blend harmoniously with the witty dialogue of the characters played by George Clooney and Quentin Tarantino. Salma Hayek's striking supporting role marked a significant milestone in her career, bringing her a new wave of popularity. The film's unique blend of genres makes it memorable and captivating. From Dusk Till Dawn was a successful adaptation, building on the popularity of Desperado. Audiences were treated to a refined version of the Mexican action film, starring the charismatic George Clooney. In 1998, Robert Rodriguez released The Faculty, which cemented his status as a preeminent genre filmmaker of the 1990s. His works are distinguished by their original style and dynamic plots, which attracted a wide audience and made him an iconic figure in the world of cinema.
The success of Desperado was a significant event for Mexican cinema, breathing new life into it. In the early 2000s, directors such as Alejandro González Iñárritu with Amores Muertos and Alfonso Cuarón with the road movie Y Tu Mama También emerged on the world stage. Their works attracted the attention of audiences and critics, which, in turn, distracted attention from Desperado, preventing it from taking its rightful place among the best Mexican films. Mexican cinema is experiencing a renaissance, and films like Desperado remain important in the context of its development.
The cult status of Desperado is undeniable. Robert Rodriguez's second project marked the debut of stars like Antonio Banderas and Salma Hayek, and also offered audiences numerous spectacular action scenes. Even thirty years later, despite its less-than-ideal script, the film remains captivating. It's impossible to take your eyes off the charismatic guitarist-killer, even in moments of chaos and madness.
Director Robert Rodriguez's popularity has declined significantly in recent decades. His film "Hypnotic," starring Ben Affleck, became the target of ridicule, while "Spy Kids: Armageddon" left audiences perplexed, leading to accusations that Rodriguez was neglecting his audience. However, his early work remains iconic, and the director of Desperado will forever hold an important place in cinema history.
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The 20 Best Action Movies of All Time
Action movies occupy a special place in the world of cinema, attracting audiences with exciting plots, dynamic scenes and unforgettable characters. These films are able to awaken adrenaline and keep viewers in suspense until the very end. This list presents the 20 best action movies that have become true classics of the genre and won the hearts of audiences around the world.
Classic action movies like Die Hard and The Terminator set the standards for the entire genre. Not only do they impress viewers with exciting action scenes, but they also have deep emotional lines that make the characters more realistic and memorable. films of recent years, such as John Wick and The Avengers continued this tradition, offering audiences new levels of action and vibrant visuals.
Each of these films not only entertains but also leaves a cultural mark, inspiring new generations of filmmakers and audiences. Adding these films to your list is a must for any fan of action-packed, suspenseful cinema. The list of the best action movies will be a great reason to watch and discuss, and will also allow you to discover new favorite films in the genre.
