UCR "Embraced" the Serpent by Debbie Dinh - City News Group, Inc.

Community Calendar

MARCH
S M T W T F S
01 02 03 04 05 06 07
08 09 10 11 12 13 14
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
29 30 31 01 02 03 04
View Events
Submit Events
directory

UCR "Embraced" the Serpent

By Debbie Dinh, Community Writer
May 18, 2016 at 04:41pm. Views: 63

SAN BERNARDINO >> Raw, original, and painfully poetic, the Colombian film “Embrace of the Serpent” directed by Ciro Guerra was open for screening at the University of California Riverside (UCR) ArtsBlock from April 22nd to 23rd. Patrons sat in a modestly sized screening room as the film started promptly at 7 p.m. The lights dimmed as the movie began to play. English subtitles appeared on the bottom of the screen as the introduction rolled. “El Abrazo de la Serpiente”, or “Embrace of the Serpent,” is a stunning piece of cinematography that unrelentingly took viewers on a journey through the Amazonian forest. The movie follows the story of an Amazonian shaman (Nilbio Torres) and his two encounters with foreign researchers: a disease-stricken German scientist (Jan Bijvoet) with his local assistant (Miguel Dionisio Ramos) and an American ethnobotanist (Brionne Davis). As both parties travel in order to find a sacred plant, the movie reveals the deep, painful history of Amazonian indigenous people. Rubber plantation and slavery, violent forms of religious conversion, and the genocide of tribes - this movie was not for the faint of heart. “It was violent, but it was real.” Damini Bhana, 3rd year UCR student, said. “These things actually happened to [Amazonian tribes] and I think it’s a good movie for anyone who wants to learn more about what history books don’t tell you.” The 2015 film won numerous accolades for its rich production and storytelling, earning the Art Cinema Award at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival. The film also achieved high critical acclaim from various outlets, with The Guardian rating the film 5/5 stars and a percentage of 99% on Rotten Tomatoes. Currently, “Embrace of the Serpent” is the first Colombian film to be nominated for “best Foreign Language Film” in the 2016 Academy Awards. Although the screenings for this film are over, the film’s website offers a pre-order of the movie for $14.99. The UCR ArtsBlock also features different screenings for various movies throughout the year. Dreamlike and profoundly rich, “Embrace of the Serpent” is a movie that should not be missed.

Related Articles

Photo Courtesy of: City of Moreno Valley

By Ruby Stephenson, Contributing Writer

March 17, 2026 at 05:26pm. Views: 422

A modern storefront shows Rancho Family Medical Group’s new clinic, with signs reading “Primary Care Coming Soon” above glass doors decorated with blue and white balloons. Rancho Family Medical Group’s newest clinic is at The District, on Hemlock Avenue.

Photo Courtesy of: TME Photography by Titan Mom Elvira

By Titan Mom Elvira, Community Writer

March 17, 2026 at 04:36pm. Views: 295

17 years old, Brayden Dismang this weeks Athlete of the Week for Redlands East Valley HS is already making a strong impression both in the classroom and on the baseball field. A Junior maintains an impressive 3.9 grade point average while balancing the demands of academics, athletics, and work.

Photo Courtesy of: TME Photography by Titan Mom Elvira

By Titan Mom Elvira, Community Writer

March 17, 2026 at 04:08pm. Views: 335

Lucas Palos is 17 years old and currently a Senior at Grand Terrace High School. Lucas has earned Principal’s Honor Roll twice, helped lead his teams to league championships in both baseball and football, And is this weeks Athlete of the week.

Photo Courtesy of: Feeding America® Riverside | San Bernardino (FARSB)

By Rachel Bonilla, Community Writer

March 17, 2026 at 05:04pm. Views: 646

FARSB, Anthem Blue Cross Foundation and Feeding America highlight how nutritious food supports better health during National Nutrition Month®

Photo Courtesy of: Mayor Phill Dupper

By Eric Montgomery, Community Writer

March 17, 2026 at 05:05pm. Views: 540

Beautiful view of Loma Linda California.

Photo Courtesy of: Designed by Freepik

By Eric Montgomery, Community Writer

March 17, 2026 at 05:05pm. Views: 315

The Grand Terrace Dog Park will be closed from March 18, 2026, through April 22, 2026. During the closure period, residents are encouraged to seek alternative locations for outdoor pet activities.

Photo Courtesy of: Carl M. Dameron

By Carl M. Dameron, Contributing Writer

March 17, 2026 at 05:05pm. Views: 386

Rev. Chuck Singleton, senior pastor at Loveland Church, at the Third Annual Reparations Summit held at Loveland Church.  Easter service at Loveland Church is called “Celebrate the Light Of The World!” in Fontana, Santa Monica, and Victorville, and will be on Sunday, April 5. 6:00 am Sonrise service, 7:30 am, and 10:30 am, live at LovelandChurch.org.

Photo Courtesy of: City of Moreno Valley

By Brian Mohan, Community Writer

March 17, 2026 at 05:05pm. Views: 552

On Thursday, March 12, Mayor Cabrera and members of the City Council attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Car Pros Kia Moreno Valley, which completed a $2.25 million expansion of its service center doubling its service capacity and further strengthening the dealership’s role as one of the top-performing Kia retailers in the nation.

Photo Courtesy of: Designed by Freepik

By San Bernardino County, Community Writer

March 17, 2026 at 05:05pm. Views: 362

A woman stands in the kitchen smiling, while she holds a glass of water.

Photo Courtesy of: ONSCENE.TV

By Eric Montgomery, Community Writer

March 17, 2026 at 05:05pm. Views: 225

At approximately 10:15pm on March 8th, 2026, California Highway Patrol officers and Cal Fire Riverside County crews responded to a reported solo vehicle rollover crash on eastbound State Route 60 east of Nason Street in Moreno Valley.

Photo Courtesy of: KTLA5

By Eric Montgomery, Community Writer

March 17, 2026 at 05:05pm. Views: 297

Honey Cooper is pictured reading at Kimbark Elementary School in San Bernardino, California.

Photo Courtesy of: Truly Adams

By Justus Baker-Postell, Community Writer

March 17, 2026 at 05:05pm. Views: 360

Truly "The Truth" Adams official sponsorship annoucement with OSRX.

--> -->