Ready for Her Close-Up--This Time in Front of the Camera

With involvement in revolutionary activities in three European countries, expulsion from Mexico and a string of fascinating love affairs culminating in her mysterious death at age 45, it is no surprise that Tina Modotti’s story has been recognized by Hollywood players for its dramatic big-screen potential.

Robert Redford has expressed some interest in a film version of Modotti’s life. Madonna, a collector of Modotti works, has also been said to be interested in a film about the Italian-born photographer. And, in a recent edition of Esquire magazine, actress Linda Fiorentino spoke of wanting to play Modotti in a movie about her life.

Modotti, a former silent screen actress, will also be the subject of two films at UC San Diego’s exhibition of her work. One is a documentary by Peter Wollen, a professor in UCLA’s Department of Film and Television, and the other a documentary by Alejandra Islas, a Mexico City filmmaker, journalist and artist.

And if any more evidence is needed that Modotti is a movie waiting to happen, here it is: On Jan. 11, the final night of the UCSD exhibition, there will be a reading of “Tina and Weston,” a screenplay about her relationship with photographer Edward Weston, written by San Diego-based filmmaker Isaac Artenstein.