Ignacio Retes
Acting · Writing · Directing
Born November 13, 1918, Mexico City, Mexico
José Ignacio Retes Guevara was a Mexican playwright, film, theater and television actor, director, and writer. Two-time winner of the Ariel Award. He studied at the Faculty of Philosophy and Letters of the National Autonomous University of Mexico in the 30s, where he was able to meet other prominent playwrights and directors of the time such as Rodolfo Usigli, Seki Sano and José Revueltas. He founded the University Theater of San Luis Potosí in 1937 and the theater company Lantern Magic with workers from the Mexican Union of Electricians. With Usigli he founded the company Midnight Theater (in reference to the free time that both had to collaborate in it); with Sano he would work as an assistant. In 1950 he made his directorial debut with "Los cuadrantes de la soledad" by José Revueltas, which reached 100 performances. Said montage also featured scenography designed by Diego Rivera. In 1944 he wrote his first play, "El día de Mañana". As a film actor, he made his debut in the 1950s and was directed by directors such as Jorge Fons, Felipe Cazals, Jaime Humberto Hermosillo, Sergio Olhovich and Arturo Ripstein. In his role as a screenwriter, he wrote the scripts for films such as Anguish Nights and Journey to Paradise, among others. He was also a public official, as director of the theaters of the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS), where he promoted the massive construction of public theaters, reaching 38 venues. In the 1960s he collaborated closely with the writer Vicente Leñero, with whom he made various works such as the theatrical version of Los albañiles and Los Niños de Sánchez, among others. The Hidalgo-Ignacio Retes Theater in Mexico City has been named after the actor since 2006 His son, Gabriel Retes, became a prominent actor, director and writer.
Filmography
- 1999A Sweet Scent of Death — Marcelino
- 1997Esmeralda Comes by Night — Don Gregorio, Esmeralda's father
- 1997If I Never See You Again — Poncho
- 1995Bienvenido-Welcome — Producer
- 1993Amor a la medida
- 1993Encuentro Inesperado — Ignacio Torres
- 1992Playa azul — Matías
- 1992Vintage Model — Basilio
- 1989Los años duros: El nacimiento de un guerrillero — El doctor
- 1989The Naked City — Screenplay, Story
- 1988Lovers, Partners & Spies — Priest
- 1987Herencia maldita
- 1987Mariana Mariana — Psychiatrist
- 1986Chido Guan, el tacos de oro — Nacho Esquivel
- 1986Los Naúfragos II: Los Piratas — Emilio Albani
- 1986The Realm of Fortune — Don Gil
- 1986Three of Cups — Felipe Martínez
- 1985El centro del laberinto
- 1985El rey de la vecindad — Don Matías
- 1985The Castaways of Liguria — Emilio Albani
- 1985Viaje al paraíso — Director, Screenplay
- 1984Knock Out — Old man in the building
- 1984Luna de sangre — Pastor
- 1984Motel — Cordova, Padrino
- 1983Deceitful Appearances — Tío Alberto
- 1983Mundo mágico
- 1982A Married Woman — Papá de Irene
- 1982The Eve — Rubén Rocha
- 1982The Flying Pony — Don Luis (padrino de Diego)
- 1981Everyone's Hell So Feared — Dr. Morales
- 1981Occupation of Darkness — Don Alfonso
- 1981The Big Dead Dog — Armendariz
- 1980Aunt Alejandra — Doctor
- 1979Broken Flag — Ernesto, Screenplay
- 1979The Gambler
- 1978New World — Don Diego de Alba
- 1978Paper Flowers — China, Writer
- 1978The Year of the Plague — Dr. Mario Zermeño
- 1977Cuartelazo — Coronel Rebelde
- 1977El Reventón
- 1977La casta divina — Don Emilio
- 1976Chin Chin el teporocho
- 1973The Hard Years
- 1971Los Desalmados
- 1955La vida tiene tres días — Tomás, cartero
- 1955Melodías de amor — Sr. Rentería (no acreditado)
- 1951Doña Perfecta — Jacintito
- 1951They Say I'm a Communist — Camarada Francisco Rodríguez Franco (uncredited)
- 1947Albur de amor — Story