One of the leading figures of the surrealist movement of the 1920s, Buñuel made films from the 1920s through the 1970s. During his legendary career, Buñuel transcended genres and worked in Europe and North America, and in French and Spanish. His masterful works are not limited to surrealistic themes, but on the contrary deal with a wide array of motifs that encompass society, religion and humanity at large. Buñuel was one of the few moviemakers of his time who never compromised their art for commercial success. His works are highly influential and thought-provoking and are reflective of a very strong humanistic voice laced with sharp social commentary that’s central to his oeuvre.

The year 2023 marks the 40th year of Luis Buñuel’s death. The week-long retrospective commemorated Buñuel’s multifaceted body of work by screening Nazarín, Los Olvidados, The Criminal Life of Archibaldo de la Cruz (3 of the most important films from his Mexican phase), Belle de Jour, Viridiana, The Exterminating Angel, and That Obscure Object of Desire.