The discovery of “The Food of Fear”is considered one of the lost works of the Mexican cinemacaused a stir in the film scene and among Internet users. The film, directed by: Juan Lopez Moctezuma And manufactured in 1994remained hidden from public view for almost three decades. But on Sunday, December 7th, the tape appeared on the streaming platform. YouTubeavailable to the international audience according to the user “Laura VO” I will publish it in full. A fact that quickly went viral on social networks Xwhere users highlighted the importance of this recreation in the history of Mexican cinema.
The film remained reserved for years, which increased its mystique and relevance among specialists and fans of the horror genre in Mexico. There was speculation about the tape’s whereabouts, as versions circulated suggesting it could be found in the US archives National Cinematheque. These theories have never been confirmed or denied, fueling interest and anticipation as to the true fate of the work.
However, certainty about the existence of the film could only be achieved when it was shown as part of the program Macabre: Mexico City International Horror Film Festival in 2006. This presentation was the only time the film was shown to the public. There are rumors of two more screenings, but there is no confirmed information about them.
“The Food of Fear” It is part of the final phase of the career of Juan López Moctezuma, which cemented his reputation as one of the forerunners of Gothic horror in Latin America. Filming took place on location in Mexico City, at a time of budget constraints and increasing challenges for the national industry.
There were performances by Isaura Espinoza, Salvador Sánchez, Alan Fernández, Andaluz Russel, Marta Zamora, Pedro Infante Jr., Monserrat Suero Cortéz, Sergio Sánchez, Jorge Russek And Matilde Kalfon. Well, that was confirmed at the time by a collection of photos taken during filming and shared by the producer. Jorge Victoria.
However, López Moctezuma did not see the film as it only came to light after his death; It is known that the film did not make it to the editing stage. The filmmaker suffered from Alzheimer’s disease, which is why the project remained unfinished and he died shortly afterwards.
The film tells the story of petraa woman who lives on the outskirts of Mexico City. After the accidental death of a girl with the nickname The NitPetra decides to hide the body by cooking it and making tamales from it, which she then sells in the neighborhood. A plot that addresses realities such as poverty, everyday violence and social terror, framed in a gothic atmosphere.
Juan López Moctezuma was born in Mexico City in 1932 and died in 1995, exactly months after the filming of this work, which is now considered a cult. He directed and produced important audiovisual films such as “Alucarda” (1977), “The Villa of Madness” (1973) and “Mary, Mary, Bloody Mary” (1974). Known for his experimental approach to horror, for his violent stories and explorations of occult, rare elements in the national cinema of the period. He was also part of the renewal movement of Mexican cinema in the seventies and worked with personalities such as Alejandro Jodorowsky.
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