Pachamama Netflix [2019] Review - A Spirited Tale of an Adventurous boy

It took film-maker, Juan Antin, fourteen years to bring Pachamama to the screen. The meticulous study went into learning the Inca period both from text and by living with South Americans. The extensive research shows in every minute detailing of the film. The frolic fusion of vibrant colours with imaginative animation brings the characters alive.

The allegorical narrative, with a strong undercurrent of environmental concern, is approached in a whimsical way. The narrative is rooted in the naive and innocent consciousness of kids, and it flies high like a fearless condor. Even the conflicts are universal and constructed smartly but it falters while resolving those conflict. The resolution is often muddled and it usually transcends into a bigger issue that gets mystically sorted.

Set during the 15th century in a remote village in the Andes mountains in South America, Pachamama is revered and idolized Earth Mother. The superstitious ancient Peruvians worship Pachamama and make offerings for abundant crops and evergreen nature. If it’s your first offering, you have to give away your loved possession. A moral lesson for kids to deal with the loss.

Telpulpai is an arrogant, self-centred but bravado kid who desires to become a ‘shaman.’ During the offering ceremony, Inca tax collector seizes the golden artefact that villagers considered as a sacred body and worshipped it. Telpulpai takes it upon himself to retrieve the artefact and prove his valour & grit. He is joined by Naira and pet llama who face a bigger threat upon reaching Inca.

The Spanish invaders in the metal suit layer the moral drama and deepens the threat for Telpulpai and Naira to recover the artefact. The dull silver colour costume contrasts well with the lively splash of animation, subtly hinting the degree of threat in the pleasant lives of Inca and Andes villagers.

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Pachamama (2019), at running length of 70 minutes, is a vivid and lively animated adventure movie that would resonate with kids for its simplistic storytelling. It is rigged with moral values that get underpinned by heavy-handed treatment in the third act. Though it ends on addressing a strong environmental message that makes up for the dragged third act.