iwalksmall Salvador Carrasco's "La Otra Conquista" is truly a phenomenal, one-of-a-kind film. From the opening scene, we immediately are confronted with the films underlying message, the loss of identity. Instead of having a flag as the object of worship, Carrasco's choice to have the fully dimensional Virgin Mary allowed me to interpret her as another character. This film accurately addresses the oppression of a culture. I felt that Carrasco did a great job at maintaining an even playing field—a biased film this is not. An incredibly profound and hard-hitting quote occurs when Tomaś says, "I don't adapt. I know who I am." That eight word sentence embodies "The Other Conquest." Tomaś's inner struggle is to hold on to what the people around him are stripping from him. The story of Tomaś is a full-fledged tragedy. It is certainly clear that Carrasco desires to remain invisible as a filmmaker in order to portray the important message that the film has to offer. Another theme that seemed quite prominent was the "loss of mother," both figuratively and literally. In the opening scene, it is discovered that Tomaś's mother has been killed. The historical event refers to May 19, 1520, "The Great Temple Massacre". Tomaś soon after looks to the Virgin Mary as motherly figure as he is being whipped with chains and burnt in the company of his own people. Throughout the movie, as he is molded and converted from an Aztec Prince into a Spanish and Christian way of life, as his conquerors continue to strip away at his beliefs and identity, the one thing that he lives for is that Virgin Mary. He still holds on to it. Overall, the film is direct and very clear in message, and it had a positive effect on me.

emilylippman Carrasco's "La Otra Conquista" ("The Other Conquest") addresses the lasting aftermath of the Spanish conquest of Mexico in the 16th Century. As is often the case with a period film, the themes resonate well into modern times where, sadly, much racism and it's corresponding superiority still exist. As such "La Otra Conquista" is very socially conscious and challenging, as well as being a captivating film to watch- a rare feat, especially for a directorial debut.The titular "other conquest" is the forced spiritual and religious conversion of the Aztecs. Carrasco masterfully demonstrates that this sort of conquest can be just as brutal and dehumanizing as the actual physical conquest, as well as emphasizing the religious hypocrisy of the Spaniards. The film utilizes a statue of the Virgin Mary as a sort of character in and of itself. Theoretically, the Spanish conquerors believe the statue to be an embodiment of purity and goodness. However, the statue is continuously placed in locations wherein it is forced to witness much horror and bloodshed. The statue also serves to symbolize the Aztec resistance to Catholicism, as Toplitzin projects his Aztec spirituality onto her, even after his strictly forced conversion. This sort of mixing of religion and symbols has had a lasting influence in Mexico's distinctive "brand" of Catholicism, still to this day.Overall, I applaud Carrasco's courage in making a film like this, a film that truly needed to be made in order to fill and otherwise gaping hole in International Cinema and Mexican history. While neither Mexican nor Catholic myself, I found this film to be extremely relevant- especially as a religious minority. Far too often, people in power wish to gain it by forcing their beliefs and lifestyles upon others. There is no "right" set of beliefs, and it is clear the Carrasco knows this. Without doubt, this is a film that needs to be seen.

rivera_edwin_m A movie that untouched upon on a very significant time in Mexico and the clash of two cultures who are governed by their religion. In the film we follow an indigenous Aztec who is captured during the Spanish conquest of Mexico. His battle to find peace between Catholicism and his Aztec beliefs would be the plot of the movie. His adventure threw the colonization of his people will shape your view on who is really converting who. In the film we see this conflict evident by the mixture of the Aztec God destroyed in the start of the film and the statue of the Virgin Mary. As a Mexican my self I feel that this film does a great job at bringing attention to a turbulent time in Mexican history. Many of the subjects touched upon by great writing and technicality makes this movie one to watch. I had a chance to meet the director and many of the things exhibited in the film where clearly put there to question of who really was the conquerors. This movie will make you give a different point of view to understand Mexican history during the 15th century.

Almanac123 "The Other Conquest" is about not giving up on your beliefs. Topiltzin is an Indian with his own religion. However he is forced to give up his religion in the name of Christianity. Even in the face of death, Topiltzin refuses to convert entirely to Christianity. The evil conqueror Hernan Cortes even forces him to change his name to Tomas. But Topiltzin doesn't change his mind even as Cortes puts him under Friar Diego's care and forces his sister into a relationship. This is very encouraging for somebody with doubts and people around them trying to tell them how to act, think and feel. There was no democracy. Society could be a very cruel place and intolerant of other people's views. The film's message is very similar to historical films like "A Man for All Seasons" and "Braveheart". People are willing to die for their freedom and beliefs even when someone more powerful threatens them. It's a very important theme for the poor and under privileged to learn. The Christians use a statue of the Virgin Mary to entice Topiltzin into feeling more inclined to convert. However it shows strength of character that he still does not submit to their demands despite the beauty of Mary. Topiltzin does not forget his mother and brother who are killed by the conquerors. The feelings that Topiltzin expresses transcend color, religion, language, etc. Anyone could relate to Topiltzin and feel what he feels. It's universal to have your beliefs challenged and to be forced to do something you don't want to do. How could the Christians feel moral when they are corrupt by forcing others to convert? It's a brave film that challenges the status quo. Topiltzin's story is educational for the masses. The film is beautifully written and shot while also being very suspenseful. It's epic and intimate at the same time. It's a very powerful combination of styles. It's not a shy film. It has something to say and more films should be made like it.