Modernity, American Influence, and Mexican Identity in the Film Acá las tortas (1951)

Abstract

Acá las tortas (1951), directed and produced by Juan Bustillo Oro, is a Mexican film that reflects the social, cultural, and generational changes in a transforming Mexico. The plot follows a middle-class family caught between the aspirations of their children, who return to the city influenced by the American lifestyle. Through a historical film analysis, this article aims to examine how Acá las tortas (1951) reflects the conflicts of the Mexican middle class in the face of modernity, and the need to preserve national identity through symbols such as food, language, and material culture.

The study is divided into four sections. The first provides a brief reflection on the film as a historical source, along with the methodology adopted for this work. The following section contextualizes the production and exhibition of the film historically, emphasizing the American influence that developed during the 1940s and 1950s. The third section presents a plot synopsis of the film, accompanied by a brief aesthetic analysis. Finally, the study concludes with a detailed analysis based on a selection of representative stills.

The film offers a critical view of Mexicanidad (Mexicanness), identity, and the country's modernization process during the period known as the "Mexican Miracle." The work not only exposes the tension between tradition and modernity but also highlights the challenges of preserving national culture in the face of growing American influence.