In Mexico, as in many former Spanish colonies, despite many attempts at change, the larger part of the country's farmland is still held or managed by a privileged few and farmed by powerless peasants or tenants. In this story, based on the longest-running play in Mexican history (El Extensionista by Felipe Santander), an idealistic collegian (Eduardo Palomo) whose subject is "agricultural engineering" has been sent by his school to serve a year's internship among the peasants of Tenochlan. They are justifiably wary of outsiders attempting to perform good works on their behalf, and it takes every ounce of his energy, good will, and persuasiveness to get them to follow his lead. Unfortunately for him, his idea of the best crop to plant turns out to be a disaster for everyone.
by Clarke Fountain
synopsis
