The May Revolution
About The May Revolution
The short stages the May Revolution of 1810 in Buenos Aires. Patriots meet at Rodríguez Peña's house and put off action until the Junta of Seville falls. Military chiefs refuse Viceroy Cisneros, and he has to allow an open cabildo. French and Beruti hand out blue and white ribbons so the patriots can know each other. Painted cloth stands in for the Cabildo front and the meeting room.
Cast & crew
More about The May Revolution
Mario Gallo directed. He shot it in 1909. Silent Era gives a release of 22 May 1910. Eliseo Gutiérrez is the cast name on that listing. César Fiaschi is also credited, and Gallo himself appears. Infobae describes a five-minute picture and painted backdrops that the wind moves. It is counted as the first Argentine dramatic film made with professional actors.
Themes
Background
Gallo staged the 1810 revolution for the centennial season, using actors rather than only street views.
Making
The Cabildo and the interior were painted cloth. In the surviving picture the fabric shifts when the wind hits it.
Preservation
A print is held by the Fundación Cinemateca Argentina.
Notes
- The centennial of the May Revolution fell in 1910, the year of release.
- A print is in the Fundación Cinemateca Argentina.
- Eliseo Gutiérrez had played Juan Lavalle in Gallo's earlier El fusilamiento de Dorrego.
Scenes
- French and Beruti pass out blue and white ribbons.
- The painted Cabildo front ripples in the wind.