Embrace of the Serpent review: Columbia’s Best Foreign Language Film entry shines in many remarkable ways.
Embrace of the Serpent review
Embrace of the Serpent is that quiet little film you’re going to be hearing a lot about. Having been nominated for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, this Columbian tale breaks itself down into basics but explores the complex existence of humanity especially in regards to our relationship with nature. With the hot topic all around the world currently being that of immigration, it’s also a stark reminder of how the immigration and ‘exploration’ of white men also shaped societies and destroyed cultures.
Karamakate, played by Nilbio Torres and Antonio Bolivar as young and old variants respectively, is the last of his tribe and a respected healer. Living in the Amazon jungle, Karamakate has grown distrustful and hateful of the white men who have come and disrespected nature and introduced organised religion. Still, he agrees to help one very sick white explorer, Theo (Jan Bijovet), who needs a special plant to survive. We also follow Karamakate 31 years later in 1940, as another explorer, Evan (Brionne Davis), searches for the same plant based on the writings of Theo.
Embrace of the Serpent review
The film is both elegantly simple and gorgeously complex. Essentially the same road trip three decades apart, we see certain events play out and return to them when landscapes and people have changed. The most striking of these episodes comes from visiting a monastery where young boys are taught in the ways of God but when Evan attends this place he makes a shocking discovery in the evolution of the religious children. The whole film plays out like an even more striking riff on Apocalypse Now, with the physical journey also detailing an emotional, spiritual, and moral journey that all the characters go on.
Conflicts arise between all participants, with young Karamakate in tune and protective of the land, while Theo and Evan’s sense of exploration unwittingly impacts the lands they fall in love with. We also have Manduca (Yauenku Migue), joining the initial journey of Karamakate and Theo, a native who has embraced western ways. Still, the trio find chemistry and common ground making for a subtle and prevailing relationship. The performances, many of the Columbian roles being portrayed by first time natural performers, are especially strong. Torres and Bolivar are both incredible in their shared lead, with Torres capturing youth and anger, while Bolivar is more pensive and controlled.
Embrace of the Serpent review
Most captivating is of course that stunning black and white cinematography that captures the feel and essence of the photographs that captured the original journeys. It also helps to morbidly subdue the jungle, meaning the characters are not overshadowed by their lush surroundings but become one with it, while the lack of colour hints at the fading life of nature.
Embrace of the Serpent is a rare film that comes across as very arthouse, yet has enough adventure, coherence, and gripping narrative to easily penetrate the mainstream. Gorgeous locales and riveting character dynamics escalate the film to near perfection, while the duel story threads have an elegant mysterious quality. Director Ciro Guerra, makes a startling impact that mixes Coppola and Herzog but gives us something ultimately fresh. Embrace of the Serpent is impossible to ignore or forget.
Embrace of the Serpent review by Luke Ryan Baldock, June 2016.
Embrace of the Serpent is released in cinemas on 10th June.
