Pachamama

There has been some attempts of telling the story of the american conquest by the spaniards in the past, but they didn't focus so much in how the natives saw it, as most of the movies show the values of the descendants of the conquerors more than that of the conquered people, even though they have good intentions. This is a story told by the people who didn't have a voice, just how the descendants see it, without cliches, and with an astounding quality in visuals and music. Pierre Hammon's score is not just respectful and beautiful, but he created something original and interesting out of research and creativity.

The pictures are haunting and a piece of art. It was originally intended to be a stop motion technique, but they decided to do it in some sort of 2d that has nevertheless a stop motion sensation.

The story is indeed dark, as it was the real story, toned down for children and transformed into an abstract fantasy but without avoiding the message. It mocks the european conqueror that came to kill and steal resources from the natives, but also the Inca empire that did virtually the same to its people, so it's not entirely a one-sided vision. It might have some exaggerated moments, but we allow it as some kind of poetic justice, and besides it's a kid's movie.

Some elements of the pre-columbian culture shown could be a bit shocking for what we are allowed to see after children's movies pass the filter of globalization, but we must understand that this is how things were, we can criticize it, praise it or (ideally) a mixture of both, but not hide it.

The values of this movie are somehow near Miyasaki films, focused on the wonders and richness of our mother nature, which is a good message for future generations.