Conquistador

Author(s): Maia
Location: LA

"Conquistador"

Produced by Mel Gibson
Directed by Alfonso Cuaron
Written by Alfonso Cuaron and Timothy J. Sexton
Edited by Pietro Scalia and Alfonso Cuaron
Cinematography by Dean Semler
Art Direction by John Myhre
Visual Effects by Tim Burke
Original Score by Elliot Goldenthal

Main Cast

Eduardo Noriega as Hernan Cortes
Laura Elena Harring as Mallintzin
Benjamin Bratt as Emperor Moctezuma
Rudy Youngblood as Prince Cuitlahuac

Tagline: "His Mission. Her Treason… Their War"

Synopsis: Commissioned by the New World governors and driven by his own thirst for glory, prestigious conqueror Hernan Cortes has successfully persuaded most of the indigenous tribes on the Mexican territory to rebel against the prevailing control of the Aztec Empire (in order to continue the expansion of the Spanish kingdom to South America). First step on his mission is conquering Tenochtitlan, the majestic capital of the Aztecs, but are they willing to lose their sovereignty so easily?

Between the walls of Emperor Moctezuma’s Palace, the Aztec nobles are whispering… Cortes and his army have been sheltered by their neighbors and they are quickly approaching Tenochtitlan. The weak-willed Moctezuma has struggled to hide his fears but his younger brother and counselor Cuitlahuac has come to a resolution: Moctezuma must welcome Cortes to the city and pursue an alliance to prevent the fall of their empire… Cuitlahuac has reasons to fear, he knows Cortes’ army, along with his local allies, outnumber their own and to make things worst; Mallintzin, a talented and well known interpreter, is now serving Cortes as his main counselor.

Cortes has in fact developed a strong bond with Mallintzin, one that even his men seem unable to understand. He has converted her into Catholicism and it has being implied on many letters sent to the New World that they share the same bed… Despite animosities, Mallintzin has advised the Spanish well: she has taught them the Aztec tactics and modus-operandi; and now Cortes is ready to fulfill his mission…

When the Aztecs cannot contain Cortes and his troops anymore, Moctezuma welcomes him and his men to his sacred city… The Aztecs quickly acknowledge him as their ancient Winged Serpent God, who has reborn to claim his throne on Earth, and in the other hand; they have threatened to murder Mallintzin for what they consider a betrayal to her roots.

Cortes is pleased… It seems peace between both worlds will indeed happen but sadly, not in the way Emperor Moctezuma had hoped and even worst, just like the spanish conqueror wanted from the beginning…

What the Press would say:

It is cruel, it is heartbreaking and it is human… Man’s hunger for world domination is captivatingly portrayed by Alfonso Cuaron’s emotional epic “Conquistador,” one of the best thought and artistically crafted films in recent memory. Based on the acclaimed historical novel “The Eagle and The Serpent,” Cuaron and writing partner Timothy J. Sexton vividly bring the Aztec civilization back to life in a more intellectually challenging way than producer Mel Gibson’s vision of the Mayans in the gory “Apocalypto.” To avoid obvious comparisons, Cuaron stays away from as much graphic violence as he can and instead, the gifted director develops the rudimentary political and diplomatic tactics of both the locals and their colonizers (wisely opting to shoot the film entirely on English to keep it accessible). By contrasting the intrigues emerging around the characters on both sides of the conflict with the realistic battle sequences at the film’s climatic point; Cuaron takes this project to a higher point where it’s hard to tell what type of human violence is worst.

Open Your Eyes’ Spaniard star Eduardo Noriega (comfortably nuanced and engaging as Cortes) willingly accepts the role of the sympathetic villain who won’t stop until he gets what he wants and as metaphorically expressed by the screenwriters; a multilayered character that strikes many resemblances to some of our world leaders. Laura Elena Harring (finally landing a prominent role), makes Mallintzin the perfect match for Cortes: the intelligence and fierce ambition in Harring’s performance makes easy for us to understand how a strategist like Cortes would be willing to place all his trust in a woman and most importantly, see beyond her dark skin and allow himself to love her. Their chemistry and their perseverance against odds are satisfying to watch just as much as Benjamin Bratt’s moving performance as Moctezuma. Bratt provides menacing insecurity to the one man not allowed to have any in a ruthless society; and he is able to bare his soul as the legacy trusted upon him collapses in front of his eyes. An irresistible supporting turn from Rudy Youngblood as the slippery Cuitlahuac reminds us why wars are not always won on the battlefield.

Ultimately, Cuaron’s deep sensibility and Gibson’s adequate practicality blend to perfection in “Conquistador,” a film that just like the renowned Hernan Cortes, wanted to be larger than life from the beginning, and actually succeeded…

Expect AMPAS to honor this grand epic with the following nominations:

Best Picture (Drama)
Best Director – Cuaron
Best Adapted Screenplay
Best Actor – Eduardo Noriega
Best Supporting Actress – Laura Elena Harring
Best Supporting Actor – Benjamin Bratt
Best Supporting Actor – Rudy Youngblood
Technical Categories
Creativity Awards