THE MUSEUM OF MODERN ART PRESENTS María Félix: La Doña

The Museum of Modern Art announces a film series, María Félix: La Doña, from July 11– July 27, 2025.

The greatest international star to emerge from the Mexican cinema’s “Época de Oro,” María Félix (1914–2002) is still revered by Latin American audiences as “La Doña.” Félix was not merely a star—she was a cultural phenomenon who redefined femininity on screen through her portrayals of difficult, domineering women who defiantly operated outside the social conventions of her time.

This program showcases a selection of her most significant works, made between 1942 and 1957, including collaborations with leading directors like Emilio Fernández and Roberto Gavaldón. From her breakthrough role in Doña Bárbara to the internationally acclaimed Enamorada, these films capture the commanding screen presence that made Félix an enduring symbol of Mexican cultural identity.

Her European career is represented by Jean Renoir’s French Can Can (1955), highlighting her international success despite famously refusing to learn English, turning down a starring role in Hollywood’s Duel in the Sun, and maintaining a proud disdain for the American film industry. Off-screen, her tumultuous relationship with composer Agustín Lara, close friendships with artistic luminaries like Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera, and the exotic rumors that fed Mexico’s tabloid press enhanced her mystique as one of Mexico’s—and world cinema’s—most captivating figures.