Son of stage actor-director Ignacio Retes and actress Lucila Balzaretti, Gabriel Retes began acting classical theater when he was twelve years old. In early 70s he began directing short films in S8mm. and developed an extensive filmography in that format. His feature film debut, a shocking film about urban violence, was received with mixed reactions by the audience because its extremely dark portrait of Mexican middle class. His second feature, Nuevo Mundo (1976) was censored because the controversy it generated around its subject (the divinity of the Vírgen de Guadalupe). Since then, and because his following fil ms' approach to political subjects, Retes is considered one of the most politically conscious Mexican directors. In the '80s, Retes promoted young directors and directed video. Althought he never retired, the critically aclaimed Bulto, El (1991) was considered his comeback. This film reunited him with his family: his son Juan Claudio, his daughter Gabriela, his mother, and his wife, Lourdes Elizarraras.