Elsa Aguirre: the films that established her as a cinema legend

Five key films that marked the career of one of the most emblematic actresses of national cinema.

The cinematographic legacy of Elsa Aguirre

For almost four decades, Elsa Aguirre was one of the most magnetic figures on the Mexican big screen. Although she was often pigeonholed into the femme fatale archetype, she also starred in films that challenged conventions and adaptations of popular corridos that are today part of cultural memory.

‘A Decent Woman’ (1950)
Directed by Raúl de Anda, this film caused controversy at the time. Aguirre plays an excited young woman who, abandoned by her partner (Rafael Baledón), becomes pregnant and forced to work as a dancer. The conflict breaks out when the ex-boyfriend returns and she agrees to be his lover. Available on YouTube.

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‘Pancho Villa and La Valentina’ (1960)
Under the direction of Ismael Rodríguez, Aguirre shared credits with Pedro Armendáriz. She plays La Valentina, ex-girlfriend of an opponent of Villa who ends up married to the leader. The film is inspired by passages from ‘Centaur of the North’. It is on Prime Video.

‘The Great Body of Crime’ (1970)
Comedy that brought together Silvia Pinal, Mauricio Garcés, Angélica María and Óscar Chávez. The plot is divided into three stories; Aguirre got the segment ‘La seductora’, where she plays a woman who financially exploits men to travel to Europe. Available in ViX.

‘The Statue of Meat’ (1951)
A work that aroused morbidity in the public. It tells the story of a sculptor who searches for the perfect model and finds a tormented young woman exploited by a third party. Forbidden romance generates family tragedies. It can be seen on Claro Video.

‘The Death of a Cockfighter’ (1977)
Based on a famous corrido, this adaptation was headed by Antonio Aguilar. Aguirre plays Rosalinda, trapped in a love triangle with a feared cockfighter who will not let her go. Available on YouTube.

These five productions show Aguirre’s versatility, from social dramas to comedies and revolutionary films. His work continues to be a reference for classic Mexican cinema.

Apio Quijano defends pets after Pedro Sola controversy

Apio Quijano criticizes Pedro Sola for comments against dogs; his dog Ofelia goes viral.

Apio Quijano, a member of Kabah, joined the voices that disapproved of Pedro Sola’s comments about dogs in public spaces. The host of Ventaneando generated outrage by mentioning live his desire to give “poisoned meat” to the animals he sees in restaurants and shopping centers.

“Wanting to throw a piece of poisoned meat… or those who carry three in a stroller. They want to shoot… the owners,” said Sola.

The reaction was immediate. Several brands withdrew their advertising from the program, and TV Azteca issued a statement reaffirming its commitment to animal protection. Apio, owner of the dog Ofelia, responded with a video where he described the statements as irresponsible.

“Clearly he is not a person recognized for giving intelligent information, he never has been, but he continues to have a space where many people see him,” he said.

The singer pointed out that it is valid to debate whether dogs should enter certain places, but talking about poisoning them is cruelty. “What Pedro said was neither humorous, nor responsible nor ethical,” he added.

Ofelia’s response

Apio shared on Instagram a photo of his dog Ofelia—with more than 23,000 followers—wearing a t-shirt with the meme “Be careful with Pedro.” The image went viral as a scathing criticism of the driver’s words.

“Now the world has a voice, and everything can end overnight,” Apio warned, calling to measure what is said in public spaces.

TV Azteca, for its part, announced that it will reinforce awareness programs on animal respect among its collaborators. The controversy revealed the impact of the statements in an era where networks amplify every word.

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Photography and dissidence, three views in the Historic Center

Three exhibitions at the Photography Archive Museum explore sexual dissidence and ancestral traditions.

The Photography Archive Museum, located at Guatemala 34 in the Historic Center, presents three exhibitions that discuss sexual dissidence, rituals and cultural heritage. Although originally planned for June, sexual diversity month, the protests in the Zócalo and the World Cup programming delayed its opening. Today they seek to install the issue from a more permanent perspective.

Three proposals for collective reflection

The first exhibition, “El susto enters from behind”, brings together 15 photographs by visual artist Chito Tenorio. The images propose an intimate and collective reading about fear, memory and the emotional traces that persist in bodies. The creator explains:

“The project goes through different forms, filters, contemplations and explorations. Finally it delivers a brief anthology of seven superstitions in which I build a poetics of the image.”

Tenorio points out that the exhibition takes up the construction of the male nude in the history of art. It is, he affirms, one of the few occasions in which male nudes are allowed to be shown in their entirety. Regarding the relationship between body and superstition, he adds:

“The body is the portal between the spiritual and the mystical, the spiritual and the material. Always, in one way or another, we are exposed to this type of practices.”

The photographs include rituals such as cleaning with an egg, the bolillo for fear and the superstition of sweeping the feet associated with bad luck in love.

“Ancestral Dissidences” is the second exhibition. It compiles the work of 13 artists and photographers who explore sexual and gender diversity from perspectives rooted in cultural heritage, spirituality, and community experience. Tenorio, also the curator of this exhibition, links it with the previous one by suggesting that rituality is connected to sexual dissidence.

Closes the cycle “Transit. Invocation to Coyolxauqui”, by the artist Roberto Tondopó. This exhibition brings together 17 photographic pieces that cross contemporary photography with Mesoamerican roots, integrating an aesthetic and symbolic dialogue.

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Spice Girls’ Mel C marries Chris Dingwall in country wedding

Mel C married Australian model Chris Dingwall in an intimate country ceremony.

Intimate wedding with nineties touches

Mel C, former member of the Spice Girls, married Australian model Chris Dingwall on July 18. The ceremony was held at Country House Cumbria, northwest of England, with a country style and far from luxury, as revealed by Daily Mail.

The couple met in 2023 through an exclusive dating app. The singer wanted a small celebration, without ostentation, but with some nods to her golden era of the 90s.

Her former teammates Emma Bunton, Melanie Brown and Geri Halliwell-Horner attended. Scarlett, daughter of Mel C and the result of her relationship with Thomas Starr, participated as bridesmaid.

Mel C wore a white backless dress, designed by Victoria Beckham, also a former Spice Girl. She brought a bouquet of wildflowers. A close source commented:

“It was a gift from Victoria, they are very close.”

Beckham could not attend because he is in the United States for commitments related to the World Cup. He was sorry to miss the ceremony.

The wedding went off without a hitch, except for a herd of cows that approached while the couple exchanged vows.

Mel C is preparing for a world tour that begins in September in Montreal, Canada, and will include the United States, England, Asia and Europe.

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