Rent Embrace of the Serpent (2015)

Embrace of the Serpent (aka El abrazo de la serpiente) review by Adrijan Arsovski - Cinema Paradiso

Embrace of the Serpent is a magnificent piece of ethereal, surreal film-making that makes me glad the media still nurtures art among the wreckage of contemporary, blatantly obvious CGI-ness and superhero over-saturation. It is a quiet, yet still powerful enough to resonate within the confines of one’s own beliefs and moral values, and for that alone, it is a worthy testament of the human footprint on our planet we call Earth.

The movie’s narration splits into two different paths: both based on two different expeditions conducted in the Amazon rainforest, set apart by more than 30 years’ time. The first one sees Theodor Koch-Grunberg, a German adventurer and scientist, while the second follows American Richard Evans Schultes – in their quest to find the mystical Yakruna plant, the one that is believed to have the ability to heal physical and spiritual wounds. What connects these explorers is a Shaman named Karamakate, who does his best to preserve the interests of his employers, but also holds dear the Yakruna secret which is believed to be the last remaining symbol of independence his people have left.

The cinematography is chosen precisely to build upon the mystical motifs of the narration, and in this regard it immensely succeeds. The richness of pictures and stills is accompanied by linguistic abundance – with nine languages present in the film which are spoken during different revelations about the nature of reality and the introspection of the self – perhaps two sides of the same coin called life.

Sounds and music include chants and native rituals that are deeply ingrained in how one perceives the self, superimposed onto beautiful and vast landscapes that elevate the experience to further heights. Add the fact that the feature is filmed on location in the Amazonian rainforest, the first one in 30 years, and you start to enter Karakamate’s perspective of why he thinks the ‘white man’ disturbs the flow of the jungle. He is channeling the natural, almost spiritual dimension of human beings, while Theodor and Richard come as the uninitiated ‘outsiders’ which must pass Karakamate’s test of resilience to find out if they are worthy for the flower. It’s a beautiful play of opposites similar with those in lyrical poems that lead up to emotional catharsis of both the soul and the body.

Embrace of the Serpent is at its peak when the occult happens, when our heroes lost in space and time finally realize the true power of their will. The shaman is their guide, teaching them to accept the inevitable and to disrobe themselves from the materialistic burden their societies so frivolously advocate.

In a word, Embrace of the Serpent is an awesome initiation happening from the confines of one’s own home. Without getting into these dangers however, one cannot truly become pure and worthy of the powers Yakruna holds.