Named for the earth/fertility goddess revered by the indigenous people of the Andes, Juan Antin’s César-nominated animated adventure Pachamama follows two precocious youths and their trusty animal companions, as they embark from a small Peruvian village at the edge of the vast Incan empire on a quest to the royal capital (which ends up besieged by Spanish conquerors) to retrieve a sacred statue forcibly taken by an Incan overlord.
Antin’s gorgeously wrought 3-D CGI animation is inspired by vibrant indigenous art, and has a soft, simple, and whimsical feel, like a children’s storybook. Paired with a soundtrack that features pre-Columbian music (ancient water flutes included) and themes of love, respect, and gratitude to our earth threaded throughout, Pachamama manages to entertain, charm, and introduces a new culture to younger viewers. The film was acquired by Netflix and will be available for streaming in June.
Pachamama has its last screening on Monday, May 25, at the 45th Seattle International Film Festival. Further details here. Check out The Stranger‘s complete SIFF guide here.
