There could be a two-fold irony about this movie, which is about a movie charting Christopher Columbus’s first explorations in South America where he notoriously exploited the native Indians at the time. The movie is being filmed in Bolivia because the cheapskate producer from Spain wants to use all the locals as extras cos they will work for practically nothing. (And then I am wondering as I leave the theatre if the producer making this movie about making the movie didn’t do the same!)
As the movie starts shooting the local townsfolk, led by Hatuey, an activist who is now also a star in the movie, get involved in a bitter dispute with the City Council as an American Company has bought the entire region’s water supply and not only must everyone now face an enormous price hike, but they are also banned from even collecting the rainwater. This is actually based on a true incident that occurred as recently as 2000 and the civil unrest closed the entire city down, and in its retelling here it closes the movie down too, and puts both the local and Spanish crew and cast in grave danger.
The tensions continue to mount as the politically correct Spanish Director starts to buckle under all the pressure and slowly reveals that the completion of his film is more important to him than anything or anybody, whilst the penny-pinching immoral Producer unexpected develops a compassionate side when he chooses to abandon his crew in order to help save a life.
The movie is an interesting take on two totally different episodes in Latin America history and I was fascinated to learn that the screenplay was written by Paul Laverty, who has written many of Ken Loach’s highly political movies (inc. ‘Bread and Roses’, “The Wind That Shakes The Barley etc). It’s directed by Iciar Bollain an award-winning Spanish actress and director, who is also Mr. Laverty’s life partner.
Gael Garcia Bernal was the headlining actor, but the star turn was from Juan Carlos Aduviri as the fiery activist Hautoy. Add to the mix some stunning cinematography, and a brilliant haunting score.
Definitely worth a view.
★★★★★★★
Click for Trailer
Click for Trailer
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