Embrace of the Serpent (2015)
Embrace the Amazon.
Presentation:
I walked into this film blind at the recommendation of Dr. Sniffy, and I’m not sure if that added any value to the experience. This is a film about colonialism in the Amazon, which I enjoyed significantly more than Fitzcarraldo. There’s actually meaningful social commentary and the jungle experience is quite cinematic with plenty of subjective camera shots. I just don’t understand why they went black and white, though it does look pretty at times reminiscent of Roma.
Conclusion:
This is a good film that I wished went a little bit further. I loved the descent into the jungle, which reminded me of Apocalypse Now, but there was a missed opportunity in expanding the cult island lore. I would have loved for the film to go deeper, even if it was dramatized or fictional, but I understand wanting to stay true to the source material. The Amazon remains one of Earth’s greatest preserved mysteries, and this film didn’t really scratch any itches for my curiosity - only emboldened it. Which is probably what the director wanted, but not what I desired as a viewer. In fact, I don’t think this film even begins to scratch the surface of the undocumented mysteries of the Amazon or does the setting justice.
Recommendations
Embrace the Amazon.