by Clarke Fountain
synopsis
This historical drama set in the last years of the Aztec Empire before the arrival of Europeans is told entirely in Nahuatl, the ancient Aztec language. It tells the story of a warrior-priest's journey to Aztlan, the original (and very poor) homeland of the Aztecs. Ollín (Rodrigo Puebla) is making a religious pilgrimage in hopes of properly petitioning the gods to bring about the ending of a drought. Many magical events happen over the course of his journey and prayers in this unusual feature, which boasts historically accurate music, body-painting, and costumes, in addition to being told in the actual language of the Aztecs.
