The representation of romantic love in Mexican cinema: a dialogue between generations

Abstract

This research analyzes the representation of romantic love in Mexican cinema through an intergenerational dialogue, exploring the perceptions of participants of different ages about four representative films from different periods: Tizoc: amor indio (1957), Retrato de una mujer casada (1979), Sexo, pudor y lágrimas (1999) and Enfermo amor (2022). The study, based on focus groups in the context of a film club, addresses how these productions reinforce, question or transform myths of romantic love.

The results show that older films tend to perpetuate romantic myths, such as the idealization of the couple, sacrifice and female subordination, while more recent films reflect greater diversity and complexity in relationships, including narratives critical of traditional gender norms and the inclusion of non-heteronormative relationships.

Significant differences between generations were identified: older people tend to romanticize traditional representations, while younger people criticize the violence and inequalities implicit in such narratives, although conservative cultural influences persist, especially in regions such as northern Mexico, where the study was conducted.

The methodology highlights cinema as a trigger for critical reflection on love and relationships, and reveals how media representations reflect and shape conceptions of love. This analysis highlights the coexistence of traditional and emerging discourses around love, offering opportunities to continue exploring cultural tensions and transformations.