Nazarin (1959)

Nazarín ([nasaˈɾin], [naθaˈɾin]) is a 1959 Mexican film directed by Luis Buñuel and co-written between Buñuel and Julio Alejandro, adapted from the eponymous novel of Benito Pérez Galdós. It won the international prize at the 1959 Cannes Film Festival and was selected as the Mexican entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 32nd Academy Awards, but was not accepted as a nominee.

Although Nazarín is not one of Buñuel's most renowned films, it still has its fans; the acclaimed director Andrei Tarkovsky even named it one of his 10 favorite films.

Synopsis

Padre Nazario is a Roman Catholic priest of Spanish heritage living austerely in a hotel on the poor side of town. He is of a quiet, temperate nature and carelessly gives away what little he has, to the point of not caring whenever his room is burgled. He demonstrates understanding and compassion for those he encounters, such as a woman living below him, Beatriz, who is plagued by psychotic episodes and thoughts of suicide, and has a troubled relationship with a man named Pinto.

Actors