Embrace of the Serpent

(El abrazo de la serpiente)

125 minutes

Spanish
Portuguese
German
Catalan
Latin

Colombia
Venezuela
Argentina

At once blistering and poetic, the ravages of colonialism cast a dark shadow over the South American landscape in EMBRACE OF THE SERPENT, the third feature by Ciro Guerra. Filmed in stunning black-and-white, SERPENT centers on Karamakate, an Amazonian shaman and the last survivor of his people, and the two scientists who, over the course of 40 years, build a friendship with him. The film was inspired by the real-life journals of two explorers (Theodor Koch-Grünberg and Richard Evan Schultes) who traveled through the Colombian Amazon during the last century in search of the sacred and difficult-to-find psychedelic Yakruna plant.

starring...

Nilbio Torres

Young Karamakate

Jan Bijvoet

Theo

Antonio Bolivar

Old Karamakate

Brionne Davis

Evan

Yauenkü Migue

Manduca

Director

Ciro Guerra

Writing Credits

Ciro Guerra, Jacques Toulemonde Vidal

Based on the Diary By

Theodor Koch-Grunberg, Richard Evans Schultes

Cinematography

David Gallego

Music

Nascuy Linares

Editing

Etienne Boussac

Producer

Cristina Gallego

Production Design

Angélica Perea

67% on the CINEMETER

75% - Feb 14, 2016

I have waited a very long time to see a movie like this. To see colonization from the point of view of the indigenous people is unprecedented.
San Francisco Member

Amazingly insightful film and felt like I was experiencing it first hand. Superb filmmaking!
San Francisco Member

I'm sure the enduring images from this film will provide dreams that will stir my soul.
San Francisco Member

This is what films should be about: provoking an alternate way of living, experiencing, viewing the world. A directorial challenge well met.
San Francisco Member

Amazing - great entry for Oscars. This is why we come to Cinema Club - totally different world. Also why I don't care to visit the Amazon.
San Francisco Member

MIL

70% - Mar 6, 2016

Interesting! Makes you think about humanity.
Milwaukee Member

Very glad to have seen this movie as it was transporting and informative. It's certainly not a film that everyone would appreciate.
Milwaukee Member

Thought provoking on many levels.
Milwaukee Member

STL

65% - Mar 6, 2016

Most interesting film. Excellent commentary on value structure of individual. Acting by Nilbio Torrez stupendous!
St. Louis Member

I loved this film. I love the connectedness of all life, all time, all space.. .it is a tale of truth, and desire and hope.
St. Louis Member

Visually, the film is stunning. . .

Excellent use of black and white.
St. Louis Member

So fortunate to have been taken on this journey, and I do not want to experience it again.
St. Louis Member

ATL

82% - Feb 28, 2016

My favorite film int the series--which is saying a lot. Enjoyed the linkage of the two explorers overlaid with the conflict of/for the gain of scientific knowledge with spiritual and herbal knowledge.
Atlanta Member

Wow! This film reminds me why I have been a member of the club for every year except the first! [Several comments like this.] It made me think of subjects I've never thought about before and lifestyles I've never seen to intimately.
Atlanta Member

Arresting! Transported me to the jungle (I was sweating!). Extraordinary actingand sound and visuals. (I could have done with the snakes).
Atlanta Member

An incredibly beautiful, powerful and mesmerizing film.
It spoke so powerfully to all that has been lost with the increasing "westernization" and homogenization of world cultures. it challenges us to think about the liabilities of our culture. It reminds us that the knowledge of how to live in respectful and sustainable ways has as much if not more value than the knowledge gained through "western" scientific endeavors.
Atlanta Member

Just wonderful, educational and inspirational on belong and belongings many notes of intro the heart of Darkness and Apocalypse Now.
The sound, though fascinating treatment while immersive, used to great effectiveness...I argue very blunt and assaulting (loud), uncomfortable, even the though its natural.
Atlanta Member

People must be taught how to see, how to filter the distractions to separate from ego--this process takes time, modeling and a humble heart. It has no shortcuts, even psychedelic drugs.
Atlanta Member

65% - Feb 28, 2016

No words beyond gorgeous, moving, spiritual journey – a beautiful meeting of the rational and irrational. I have to see it again and again.
Greater New Haven Member

I know I saw something important. I need to see it ten more times. So impressive, so respectful and humble. Calls into question everything we think is true.
Greater New Haven Member

Great movie! The choice of black-and-white makes the movie focused on the people and we are not distracted by the beauty of the Amazon. Note: several comments praising the use of black-and white. Example: 'Spectacular movie. The black-and-white made it sharper. Incredible cinematography. Just exceptional!'
Greater New Haven Member

Riveting – topical – mystical. Very effective link of color to understanding. Corruption of all systems and eventually the Earth. Apocalyptic in nature.
Greater New Haven Member

'Blown away' by this film are the first words to come to mind. Beyond words, it is like a dream that can lead the way to how we can learn to live together in this world of competing human forces.
Greater New Haven Member

Well-told account of depredation seeking others’ resources and mystical encounters between diverse cultures.
Greater New Haven Member

Lyrical and powerful filmmaking -- transcendent!
Greater New Haven Member

Every subject was touched upon: evolution, science, biology, religion, sexuality, emotions, torture, discovery. Looking at so many cultures and differences.

Greater New Haven Member

I thought that the film was beautifully optimistic in that the indigenous man did not give the first white explorer the benefit of doubt enough to save him and allow him to use the drug whereas the second time around with the young explorer, he persisted through the white man’s evil and ultimately allowed him to transcend the narrow Western view with the drug, and most likely return to our culture and inform Westerners that the Amazon culture should be preserved.

Greater New Haven Member

The film was a dream, transporting us as if we had drunk the Yakruna ourselves. I have not emerged from my dream, and I know not yet where it will take me.
Greater New Haven Member

BOS

69% - Feb 28, 2016

fascinating information--so much to learn about anthropology, other cultures, history--very provocative.
Boston Member

Fascinating subect matter, very interesting.
Boston Member

Thoroughly enjoyable. Like nothing I've ever seen before. Educationally fascinaing and beautifully fillmed in black and whitel respects colorless cinematography.
Boston Member

Inteligent and multisided use of parallelism. Theaches subtly, doesn't force you to learn.
Boston Member

Very unusual! Stimulating! Made me see myself and the world around me in a new way.
Boston Member

67% - Feb 14, 2016

Reminded me of an acid trip I took in the 70s.
Washington, DC Member

My favorite line: "They are the worst of both worlds." Well, who are we? After watching this, I'll remember to ask that question more often.
Washington, DC Member

To me the test of a great film is the thoughtful challenge it presents. This is one of them.
Washington, DC Member

Interesting representation of the relationship between scientists/explorers and indigenous tribes as well as the effect of said relationship.
Washington, DC Member

Definitely not a movie I'd voluntarily see, but I got caught up in the story. It was fascinating and made me want to learn more.
Washington, DC Member

BOCA

41% - Feb 21, 2016

Fascinating!
Boca Raton Member

Engrossing!
Boca Raton Member

Incredible! What I go to the Cinema Club for!
Boca Raton Member

Extremely fascinating and the speaker was excellent!
Boca Raton Member

Amazing color tones in black and white! Very interesting story.
Boca Raton Member

This film is rich and has a lot of depth. It may have been too much for this audience to handle. Horswell did a great job but the film is way too complicated for a brief discussion.
Boca Raton Member

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