Masterpiece

I completely agree! It just reinforced how horribly we have treated one of the world's oldest civilisations, but it left me with a view into some of the amazing cultural and tribal traditions of these people. I am glad to see this movie was made but it pains me to see the missions, rubber plantations and more, which have left permanent scars and in some cases wiped out so much invaluable history and tradition :(

This is at the top of my list for films that came out last year, but I haven't gotten to it yet. Loved the film he did prior to his one, as well: Wind Journeys

I agree.

Best movie I've seen in a long time.

I wanted badly to believe in this film, and for the first half I succeeded, but in the end I felt like the merging between the two story lines was badly handled. The first story, dealing with the dying anthropologist, was fascinating: the sympathetic white man, the Westernized Native and the vehemently entrenched medicine man determined to defend his homeland and culture to the bitter end, it all made for an extraordinary amalgam. And not only did you have these interesting stereotypes juxtaposed against each other, but each character transcended their particular category to reveal a fascinating human being living and breathing beneath. But the second story, featuring the American botanist and the same medicine man grown old, didn't fair so well. Initially there was some interest there because both characters appeared to be deploying false fronts in order to manipulate each other, but in the end, when the script called for them to come to a dramatic realization by forming some kind of genuine understanding between each other, it felt forced, especially in regards to the American. One moment he's baring a knife to kill the Karamakate, a few hours later he's feeling contrite and asking for forgiveness...? Or how about when he gives in to Karmakate's demands, jettisons his baggage and lies on the ground for a little while so that all the sudden he can proclaim he knows the way because now he believes, and then he points out the way and it turns out to truly be the way to the sacred healing plant, but, as mentioned before, he was only lying about 'believing' because soon enough he's ready to kill Karamakate to keep the plant for his personal greed? These contrasting facets can't possibly be merged into one character: one moment he ready to kill for rubber, the next he's wants to atone for his sins by embarking on a spiritual journey... too much too fast.

I feel like it all went South once the child-torturing priest was brought into the story. That's where the second story became primary. Also, I feel like the story's spiritual journey should have pivoted on Karamakate's character and his coming to terms with white man's existence. But this was skimmed over in favor of the American botanist's drug trip and acid visuals. It didn't help that the American was the least developed of the four characters.

Great first half, disappointing finish.

My rating: 7