IMPERIALIST PERSPECTIVE: (NEO)COLONIZATION IN THE MOVIE EVEN THE RAIN

Abstract

The subject of this work is the film Even the rain (También la lluvia, 2010), directed by Icíar Bollaín. The narrative thread depicts two important historical events, the discovery of America by Columbus (1492) and the Water War (2000). These events, distant in time, point to the rebirth of the colonizing ideology in the modern era. The dominant ideology leads to the creation of the dominant/subordinate relationship, which is analyzed in the paper, with special reference to the importance of the White Savior trope. The aim of the paper is to show in what way and through which aspects neocolonization is presented and criticized in the film. By comparing two historical events, one will come to the conclusion that the consequence of both colonization and globalization is the deprivation of basic human rights. The fight that was fought in 1492 to obtain gold is the same one that is happening in 2000 in Bolivia, only the gold has been replaced by water. Therefore, White Savior essentially represents the confirmation of racial and class differentiation. This trope is critiqued through the character of Bartolomé de las Casas and producer Costa, pointing out that those who have assumed the role of savior are a paradox because they are a confirmation of the (neo)colonial system. Starting from the fact that the film has an engaged role, we tend to the conclusion that the film can be seen as a tool for critically questioning the established relations of power and the presentation of history. In conclusion, the paper showed how colonization in Bolivia did not end, but took on a new, modern form. What was once done by the Spanish people, today is done by world powers like the USA, which find support in the government of Latin America.