‘Gravity’ director’s Oscar nomination puts identity of Mexican cinema to test

MEXICO CITY – The Oscars could be Mexico’s big night, with three Mexicans nominated for directing, cinematography and acting.

Except that some in Mexico aren’t looking at it that way.

Some politicians and celebrities are issuing cries of “Viva Mexico!” for the best-director nomination of Alfonso Cuaron. But many in the country see his “Gravity” as a non-Mexican movie made by a man swallowed by Hollywood long ago — not as a product of Mexico’s own proud but struggling film industry.

Famed Mexican filmmaker Arturo Ripstein says that “To say that ‘Gravity’ is a Mexican achievement is like saying that ‘Rosemary’s Baby’ was a Polish one” because it was made by Roman Polanski.