Ánimas Trujano (film)

Ánimas Trujano (Alternative English title: The Important Man) is a 1961 Mexican film directed by Ismael Rodríguez, based on a novel by Rogelio Barriga Rivas. It stars Toshiro Mifune as Ánimas Trujano, a boisterous, irresponsible Amerindian who aspires to become mayordomio of his village.

It was nominated for the 1962 Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.

This award-winning drama revolves around a festival of mayordomía in the provinces, or something on the idea of "king for a day." In the annual celebration, the church elects one man as "chief," an honor that is gained by buying it, in effect. Whoever donates the most, gets the coveted title.

Celebrated Japanese star Toshiro Mifune plays the lead character, Ánimas Trujano, a rough peasant who abuses his children and does nothing while his wife supports the family. Ánimas would like to be "chief" in the annual festival and begins to do everything he can to get the needed money. Meanwhile, Ánimas' wife is headed for some serious trouble in connection with a local woman of dubious morals that Ánimas has been seeing.