20 Best Foreign Movies Of 2016

Colombian director Ciro Guerra’s Embrace of the Serpent is a searing critique of the devastating impact of Western colonialism on unspoilt lands and indigenous cultures that went on to receive nigh-on universal critical acclaim and a tonne of awards including the coveted Art Cinema Award during Cannes Film Festival’s Directors’ Fortnight. Set in the Colombian Amazon, the film features two stories taking place in two distinct periods of colonialism and follows native shaman Karamakate, the sole survivor of his wiped out tribe, as he leads two expeditions deep into the rainforest to find a rare and sacred plant.

Shot almost entirely in black and white, it’s a visually breathtaking testament to the talents of Guerra and cinematographer David Gallego, strengthened by the raw and haunting performances delivered by the non-professional actors portraying Karamakate, Nilbio Torres, and Antonio Bolivar.