FEVER MOUNTS AT EL PAO

France/Mexico, 1959, 100 Minutes, Black and White.
Gerard Philippe, Maria Felix, Jean Servais.
Directed by Luis Bunuel.

Fever Mounts at El Pao, is one of Bunuel's films of the late 50s. It is an allegory about society and dictatorship. It makes interesting observations but is more of a melodrama than the surrealist kinds of fables he was soon to make as Viridiana and The Exterminating Angel. This was one of Gerard Philippe's last films. It is not vintage Bunuel but is certainly very interesting and shows many of his themes and criticisms of society.

1. The implications of the title, and the suggestions of theme?

2. Interest in Luis Bunuel's films? The interest in the film for its social and political themes?

3. The quality of the black and white photography, the atmosphere of documentary realism? How interesting and effective?

4. The symbolic overtones of the film - in its references to modern political police states, the atmosphere of revolution? The film as a realistic melodrama? Were these two styles combined well?

5. The impact of the themes? The police state, its relevance, the individual and his problems? This police state as a microcosm of the world, therefore a universal symbol?

6. The film's portrayal of the quality of life: the value of persons, the nature of prisons, authority, political corruption, truth and lies, cruelty, murder and revolution? what insight did the film offer?

7. Was the stance of the film pessimistic or optimistic? As regards human nature, society, government? What value stances on these issues did the film make?

8. The focus of attention on Vasquez? The ordinary man, the ordinary worker, his small ambitions, his fidelity to work, the ordinary man being caught up in intrigue, the liberal overtones of attitude, faced with responsibility? The growth of dilemmas? An emotional response to dilemma? An intelligent intellectual approach? The role of deceit? The use of power and the lack of it? Vasquez's rise and its effect on him? The nature of his downfall? Was he a symbolic character or a real character - in action, deals, love, willingness to save people?

9. The central role of Inez? The complexity of her character? Her role as the governor's wife and widow, her role in society? Her personality as a woman? Her relationship with the governor? With the vice-president, with Vasquez, with Gual? Her sensual response to him, yet causing his downfall? Her love for Vasquez? The tricks and deception, death, futility?

10. The contrast of Gual as sadistic, the use of power, corruption, lust, an inevitable death?

11. The ambiguous role of the vice-president and his control?

12. The picturing of the prisoners, their way of life, their suffering? The professor?

13. The role of ordinary people in a police state, as victims of authority, as caught in the dilemmas and unable to free themselves?

14. What were the major social themes and stances taken? The attitude of the film towards the left, revolution, politics and administration?