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Embrace of the Serpent

Original title: El abrazo de la serpiente
  • 20152015
  • Not RatedNot Rated
  • 2h 5m
IMDb RATING
7.8/10
23K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Nilbio Torres in El abrazo de la serpiente (2015)
Trailer for Embrace of the Serpent
Play trailer2:09
2 Videos
27 Photos
  • Adventure
  • Biography
  • Drama
The story of the relationship between Karamakate, an Amazonian shaman and last survivor of his people, and two scientists who work together over the course of forty years to search the Amazo... Read allThe story of the relationship between Karamakate, an Amazonian shaman and last survivor of his people, and two scientists who work together over the course of forty years to search the Amazon for a sacred healing plant.The story of the relationship between Karamakate, an Amazonian shaman and last survivor of his people, and two scientists who work together over the course of forty years to search the Amazon for a sacred healing plant.
IMDb RATING
7.8/10
23K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Ciro Guerra
  • Writers
    • Ciro Guerra
    • Theodor Koch-Grünberg(based on the diary by)
    • Richard Evans Schultes(based on the diary by)
  • Stars
    • Nilbio Torres
    • Jan Bijvoet
    • Antonio Bolívar
Top credits
  • Director
    • Ciro Guerra
  • Writers
    • Ciro Guerra
    • Theodor Koch-Grünberg(based on the diary by)
    • Richard Evans Schultes(based on the diary by)
  • Stars
    • Nilbio Torres
    • Jan Bijvoet
    • Antonio Bolívar
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 83User reviews
    • 221Critic reviews
    • 82Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 Oscar
      • 46 wins & 33 nominations total

    Videos2

    Embrace of the Serpent
    Trailer 2:09
    Embrace of the Serpent
    Embrace of the Serpent - Official U.S. Trailer - 2016 Academy Award® Nominee
    Trailer 2:08
    Embrace of the Serpent - Official U.S. Trailer - 2016 Academy Award® Nominee

    Photos27

    Jan Bijvoet in El abrazo de la serpiente (2015)
    Nilbio Torres in El abrazo de la serpiente (2015)
    Antonio Bolívar in El abrazo de la serpiente (2015)
    Brionne Davis and Maria Sten at an event for El abrazo de la serpiente (2015)
    El abrazo de la serpiente (2015)
    El abrazo de la serpiente (2015)
    El abrazo de la serpiente (2015)
    Nilbio Torres in El abrazo de la serpiente (2015)
    El abrazo de la serpiente (2015)
    Nilbio Torres in El abrazo de la serpiente (2015)
    Nilbio Torres in El abrazo de la serpiente (2015)
    Brionne Davis, Ciro Guerra, Antonio Bolívar on the VAUPES RIVER Colombia

    Top cast

    Edit
    Nilbio Torres
    Nilbio Torres
    • Young Karamakateas Young Karamakate
    Jan Bijvoet
    Jan Bijvoet
    • Theo Koch-Grünbergas Theo Koch-Grünberg
    Antonio Bolívar
    Antonio Bolívar
    • Old Karamakateas Old Karamakate
    Brionne Davis
    Brionne Davis
    • Evan Schultesas Evan Schultes
    Miguel Dionisio Ramos
    • Manducaas Manduca
    • (as Yauenkü Miguee)
    Luigi Sciamanna
    • Gaspar, el Misioneroas Gaspar, el Misionero
    Nicolás Cancino
    • El Mesíasas El Mesías
    Pediwake Daniel Martinez
    • Santiagoas Santiago
    José Sabogal
    • El Siringueroas El Siringuero
    Marcilio Paiva
    • Tuschauaas Tuschaua
    Jaime Pereira
    • Payé Cohiuanoas Payé Cohiuano
    Marisel Mosquera
    • Mujer Pueblo Cohiuanoas Mujer Pueblo Cohiuano
    Pedro Bolívar
    • Borracho Cohiuanoas Borracho Cohiuano
    Jorge Villa
    • Joven Cohiuano heridoas Joven Cohiuano herido
    Mauricio Hernández
    • Niño Cohiuanoas Niño Cohiuano
    Jesús Rodríguez
    • Borracho Cohiuanoas Borracho Cohiuano
    • (as Jesús Rodríguez)
    Fabián Rojas
    • Soldado Peruanoas Soldado Peruano
    Gaudencio Toro
    • Soldado Peruanoas Soldado Peruano
    • Director
      • Ciro Guerra
    • Writers
      • Ciro Guerra
      • Theodor Koch-Grünberg(based on the diary by)
      • Richard Evans Schultes(based on the diary by)
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      First Colombian film nominated for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Film.
    • Quotes

      Young Karamakate: Knowledge belongs to all. You do not understand that. You are just a white man.

    • Connections
      Featured in Starfilm (2017)
    • Soundtracks
      Embrace Of The Serpent
      (Theme from Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)

      by Nascuy Linares

      © 2016 Plaza Mayor Company, Ltd.

    User reviews83

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    World cinema at its best
    "Embrace of the Serpent" (2015 release from Colombia; 125 min.) brings the story of two explorers who, 3 decades apart (1909 and 1940, respectively) explore the Amazon region, albeit with very different motives. They both end up enlisting the help of the same man, Karmakate, one of the few remaining shamans.

    Couple of comments: first, it takes a while to fully understand and grasp what is really happening, and that the local is the same man, simply 30 years older than before. It eventually also becomes clear that this film calls out "the white man" for what he has done to the jungle and the indigenous peoples. At some point Theo (the first explorer) and his two travel mates come to a Mission, where a priest runs things. Later on, the effects of the 'rubber wars' become all too clear. Second, the movie is shot in gorgeous black and white. This is the second film in a row that I've seen in theaters that is in B&W, what are the chances? (the other film was "Creative Control"). Third, Belgian actor Jan Bijvoet gives a truly stunning performance as Theo. You will be blown away. "Embrace of the Serpent was nominated for the Best Foreign Language Film Oscar this year. While it didn't win ("Son of Saul" did), it doesn't diminish anything of the intrinsic quality of this film. With that, I've now finally seen all 5 nominees in the Best Foreign Language Movie Oscar category, and I am amazed at the collective talent in those 5 movies.

    "Embrace of the Serpent" opened last weekend at my local art-house theater here in Cincinnati. The Sunday early evening screening was attend quite nicely, much better than I had expected. It confirms that there is a market for this type of top-notch quality foreign movie. Truly world cinema at its best. If you get a chance to check it out, be it in the theater, on VOD or eventually on DVD/Blu-ray, do not miss it! "Embrace of the Serpent" is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
    helpful•13
    2
    • paul-allaer
    • Mar 20, 2016

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • May 25, 2015 (Colombia)
    • Countries of origin
      • Colombia
      • Venezuela
      • Argentina
    • Official sites
      • Official site
      • Official site (Japan)
    • Languages
      • Spanish
      • Portuguese
      • Aboriginal
      • German
      • Catalan
      • Latin
      • English
    • Also known as
      • El abrazo de la serpiente
    • Filming locations
      • Vaupés, Colombia
    • Production companies
      • Buffalo Films
      • Buffalo Producciones
      • Caracol Televisión
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $1,400,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $1,329,249
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $50,955
      • Feb 21, 2016
    • Gross worldwide
      • $3,217,176
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 5 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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