Cabeza de Vaca

Stars: Juan Diego. Winner of eight international awards, Cabeza de Vaca is that rare film that approaches pure cinema, in the sense that it is almost exclusively a visual story. Based on the writings of 16th-century Spanish explorer Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca (Juan Diego), the film traces the plight of the expeditioner who was shipwrecked off the coast of Florida in 1528, and enslaved by Native Americans. Given to the tribe's shaman and his assistant, a dwarf named Malacosa, Cabeza de Vaca tries to escape but is no match for the magic of the shaman. Eventually, Cabeza de Vaca learns the shaman's trade and is set free. Wandering across the desert lands of the (now) southern United States and Mexico, he interacts with other tribes-sometimes performing wondrous deeds, other times held captive. Although any number of B-movies have played with magic and mysticism, it's rare for a film to have a mystical subtext that is both dignified and terrifying, but Cabeza de Vaca manages to do just that. Over the course of his eight year sojourn among the native peoples of North America, Cabeza de Vaca goes from being a king's treasurer to a respected holy man. Beautifully filmed, and filled with striking images, Cabeza de Vaca is a thrilling experience worth catching. Audience: Foreign film fans for sure, and even some action devotees.