NAKHON PATHOM — The most famous actress of Mexico’s Golden Age cinema was coined “La Doña” for her femme fatale character in “Doña Barbara.”

The 1943 film, starring Maria Felix, will show at a free screening along with three other Mexican classics next week.

More than just a wealthy landowner, Doña Barbara is a devourer of men who uses her seductive charms to get what she wants. And no one could realize the role better than Felix, the greatest erotic icon in Mexico at the time. Her performance made a huge success of the 1943 adaptation of a novel written by Venezuelan president Romulo Gallegos.

“Doña Barbara” is among four classics to show at “Mexican Film Week: Literature” which will include “Pedro Paramo” (1967), adapted from Juan Rulfo’s work of magical realism.

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The 1932 film “Santa” was the first Mexican film with sound. It was based on the novel of Federico Gamboa, the lead novelist of the Naturalism movement, which emphasized a scientific portrayal of reality. The film was listed among the 100 best movies Mexican cinema in 1994.

Rounding out the selection is “La Rosa Blanca” (1961). Based on a novel by German writer B. Traven, it tells of an Indian landowner fighting against the greed of American oil company.

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All films will show in Spanish with English subtitles. Admission is free.

The films will start at 1pm and 3pm on Nov. 19 and 20 at the Thai Film Archive. It is located on Phutthamonthon Sai 5 Road west of Bangkok in Nakhon Pathom. It can be reached by bus No. 515 from Victory Monument in front of Rajavithi Hospital.

Doña Barbara, 1943
Doña Barbara, 1943
La Rosa Blanca, 1961
La Rosa Blanca, 1961
Santa, 1932
Santa, 1932
Pedro Paramo, 1967
Pedro Paramo, 1967