National Cinematheque to Honor Mexican Cinema Icon Elsa Aguirre

The National Cinematheque of Mexico, in collaboration with the Secretariat of Culture and the Mexican Institute of Cinematography (IMCINE), will pay tribute to the late Elsa Aguirre, a prominent figure of Mexican cinema's Golden Age. Aguirre passed away at the age of 95 on July 15 in Cuernavaca, Morelos.

The tribute commences on July 22, 2026, at 7:00 PM in Hall 7 of the National Cinematheque. The event will feature a free screening of "Cuatro noches contigo," a romantic comedy from the 1950s directed by Raúl de Anda. The film stars Aguirre alongside Luis Aguilar and tells the story of a woman escaping an arranged marriage who finds love during a train journey.

Following the screening, a discussion panel will analyze Aguirre's impact on Mexican cinema and her extensive artistic career. Throughout August, the National Cinematheque Chapultepec will host a photographic exhibition showcasing images from the archives of IMCINE, the Filmoteca of UNAM, and the Cinematheque itself.

Elsa Aguirre's career spanned various genres, including drama, romance, musicals, and comedy. She starred in notable films such as "Algo flota sobre el agua" with Arturo de Córdova and "Vainilla, bronce y morir." She also had a brief, publicized romance with Jorge Negrete. Aguirre received numerous accolades during her lifetime, including tributes from the National Cinematheque and the National Association of Actors (ANDA) in 2023. Her death follows that of her sister, Alma Rosa Aguirre, also an actress, who passed away in January 2025 at 95.