Embrace of the Serpent

Parental Rating: No Rating

Contains: Adult Content    

Jill's Review

Opens March 11, 2016

Runs 125 minutes

This was one of the nominees for Best Foreign Film at the 2016 Academy Awards

Karamakate is an Amazonian shaman and one of the last members of his tribe. He is consulted by two different scientists, Theodor Koch-Grunberg and Richard Evan Schultes in 1909 and 1940, respectively to help find a special medicinal plant. Each scientist has his own reason for searching for this plant and Karamakate is very ambivalent about helping them. You see, the "White Man" has begun to destroy the pristine Amazonian jungle for his own purposes, primarily for rubber and he has ruined both the land and it's people.

This movie is based primarily on the diaries of the two scientists. It is gorgeously shot. The story weaves between the 1909 and the 1940 plotlines, jumping back and forth in time. The actors that play Karamakate (as a young Shaman and then as the last remaining tribesman) are both "non-actors" and they are excellent.  But, the movie was just a little slow for me. It was definitely in your face about the destruction of the Amazonian jungle. The ending really kind of ruined it for me. It was like an acid trip, merging the now with infinite time and space. Way too esoteric for me. Overall, it was different and interesting but I would only go see it if you love independent foreign cinema. 

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