The Gold of Cajamarca

Author(s): Conrado Falco
Location: Peru

"The Gold of Cajamarca"

Directed by Terrence Mallick
Written by Terrence Mallick adapted from the book of the same name
Music by Gustavo Sanataolalla & James Newton Howard
Cinematography by Emmanuel Lubezki

Main Cast

Daniel Day Lewis... Francisco Pizarro (the spanish conqueror)
Jeremy Irons........ Father Vicente de Valverde (catholic priest)
Gerard Butler........ Hernando de Soto (general)
Gary Oldman......... Diego de Almagro (the other conqueror, who supplied Pizarro with arms)
Adam Beach.......... Atahualpa (Inca Emperor)

Tagline: "An empire of gold that will wake the greed of thousands"

Synopsis: Adapted of the book of the same name. The film directed by Terrence Mallick ("The Thin Red Line") tells the story of the conquest of the Inca Empire in South America. Francisco Pizarro (Day Lewis), an ex pig-watcher becomes a conqueror and travels to Peru to conquest what he has heard is a country full of gold. In the city of Cajamarca, what was supposed to be a friendly meeting becomes a long bloody battle where he and the spanish troops murdered thousands of people. After Atahualpa refuses to join the Cathlic Church he is captured by the spaniards.

The film is told from Atahualpa's point of view. It begins with Atahualpa captured by Pizarro, remembering everything what happened in flashbacks. While trapped we see how he starts learning spanish and to play chess to a point where he is able to beat Pizarro.

Pizarro offers Atahualpa his salvation if he gives the spaniards a room of gold and two rooms full of silver. Atahualpa, desperate, does this without knowing will be later betrayed by the spanish conquerors. They make up a fake trial to condene Atahualpa and then he agrees tu turn into Christianity so he hasn't have to be burned alive.

The last scene shows us Atahualpa having his last dinner with the mummies of the past emperors right before he is strangled by the spaniards at the center of the city.

What the Press would say:

The newest film by Terrence Mallick is just amazing. It's an epic journey to a story not many of us knew. After a long time learning about the Inca empire, he gives a fresh look at a historical event revealing stuff not the Peruvian people knew about. The wonderful sets are amazing and Emmanuel Lubezki's cinematography is flawless like always.

The greatest performances of the movie are given by the two leads: Daniel Day Lewis as Francisco Pizarro is a ruthless human being whose only purpose is to enrich himself, while Adam Beach's turn as Atahualpa shows us a complete odyssey of a man who turns from Emperor of the most powerful empire to a man without a future who knows his end is coming.

Possible nominations:
Best Picture
Best Director- Terrence Mallick
Best Actor- Daniel Day Lewis
Best Actor- Adam Beach
Best Adapted Screenplay
Best Cinematography- Emmanuel Lubezki
Best Original Score- Gustavo Santaolalla & James Newton Howard
Best Art Direction
Best Costume Design
Best Editing
Best Sound
Best Sound Editing