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Serpent’s Paradise, an attempt to separate faith from religion

Gustavo R. Gallardo y Aranza Flores

Serpent’s Paradise (2019), written and directed by Bernardo Arellano was presented to the press at the 17th Morelia International Film Festival as part of the Mexican Feature Film Section, in the presence of the director, as well as the producer Inti Cordera and co-producer Damián Aguilar Andrade.

The film tells how a young man, who appears in an abandoned area of a desert in a mysterious accident, is rescued by a cowboy and his grandfather, a breeder of fighting cocks. When he wakes up he does not remember who he is or where he comes from. After a mystical vision he begins to perform healing miracles in the village, where he is already called a prophet, which is why the community’s priest is opposed to the foreigner’s stay.

“I’ve known Bernardo for about 12 years and I’ve always seen talent and passion in him, since his first short film; so this one was a challenge and an adventure,” recalled Inti Cordera.

Serpent’s Paradise was awarded, with the support of Impulso Morelia 3, with the Churubusco Azteca Studies Award. It is part of the Official Selection of this edition of the Festival, and is in competition in the Mexican Feature Film Section.