Welcome to the world of early cinema, where the depiction of Mexico City as a rough and dangerous place has been a recurring theme since the late 19th century. One of the earliest examples of this portrayal is the short film “Duel au pistolet” from 1896, directed by Gabriel Veyre. Veyre, a contemporary of the Lumière brothers, traveled to Mexico to showcase Lumière films and create his own cinematic works.
During his time in Mexico, Veyre produced 35 films, many of which featured the Mexican president Porfirio Díaz. “Duel au pistolet” is a recreation of a real-life duel that took place in 1894 between Colonel Francisco Romero and Jose Verástegui. The film captures the brutal practice of dueling, which was a common but technically illegal custom in Mexico at the time.
Despite the controversy surrounding its subject matter, “Duel au pistolet” remains a compelling piece of early cinema due to its realistic portrayal of violence. The film’s depiction of the duelists’ fate is particularly noteworthy for its naturalistic approach, which was unconventional for the era. In real life, Verástegui lost the duel, leading to Romero’s subsequent trial and imprisonment.
While “Duel au pistolet” may raise questions about the portrayal of violence in Mexican society, it also showcases the evolving nature of onscreen storytelling. As cinema continues to evolve, reflecting the changing societal norms and values, early works like Veyre’s film provide a valuable glimpse into the history of cinematic expression.
Related content:
The Last Duel Took Place in France in 1967, and It’s Caught on Film
Written by: Colin Marshall
Follow him on Twitter at @colinmarshall or on Facebook.
