Gods of Mexico Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		5.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		1.5
Overall		4.0

Gods of Mexico Blu-ray Movie Review

The past, present, and future identity of a people...

Reviewed by Kenneth Brown May 21, 2024

The last time I was so taken with a deceptively simple, disarmingly gorgeous documentary that relied solely on hypnotic indigenous imagery was the 2013 Blu-ray release of Samsara, a dazzling 2011 experimental film that tossed aside narration and other tropes of the trade to gift its viewers a wholly emotional, almost spiritual connection to the beauty unfolding before them. Gods of Mexico offers a similarly crafted, magnificently photographed, hauntingly evocative experience. I'm already running low on superlatives. But where Samsara reveled in bold splashes of color and even more colorful diversity, director Helmut Dosantos’s meditation on Mexican peoples is a colder, more detached, at-times more manufactured hop-skip-and-jump across the land. Beautiful? Certainly. Engrossing? Nearly. Unforgettable? Not quite.

Filming Mexico's vistas and capturing the mysteries of its indigenous people, Gods of Mexico sweeps across the land with an eye locked on the things we often don't see; the places we fail to explore, the towns that don't have resorts, the regions where life moves at a different pace and in different ways than anything we know. The film has been labeled "a poetic survey of the vast landscapes and rich diversity of several communities of rural Mexico," but that's selling it short and, simultaneously, giving Dosantos a bit too much credit. It's also been criticized for not being interested in what those communities have to say, and while that does seem more true than not, it's also a much too harsh indictment of an ethnographic film that's interested in mainly offering a visual tour de force rather than a more intimate study of stakes, obstacles and tribulations. With steely, desaturated color occasionally interrupting long stretches of black and white photography, Dosantos's brief visits with individuals, families, workers and spiritualists take us everywhere from the Mexican desert to its highlands, jungles, salt fields and more, honing in on the men and women who preserve their unique cultures with every breath. At least visually.

Want to know what to expect from Gods of Mexico? Its tone? Artistry? Sometimes a trailer is worth a thousand words:



Helmut Dosantos, speaking with DesistFilm: "Gods of Mexico was a combination of both planned and organic elements. We worked closely with all the communities to understand how they wanted the rest of the world to see them and how to show their essence onscreen. We engaged in extensive conversations to meticulously plan the dynamic and mechanic of each shot. Sometimes these talks lasted months, but they were crucial, especially since we were collaborating with individuals who have endured neglect and marginalization for generations." He goes on to say, "I carefully observed and took into account their tools, animals, vegetation, and the overall environment that surrounded them. As a filmmaker, it was my responsibility to consider the aesthetic aspect and ensure that it complemented their portrayal. I wanted all the characters to be well aware of the camera’s presence, connecting directly with the audience by looking at 'us,' to show who they are and how they occupy their space, reflecting their past, present, and future identity. But most importantly I wanted to make sure that they were portrayed with dignity."

All true and evident... minus the amount of time spent with each tribe, village or community. Most of the people filmed in Gods of Mexico appear for mere seconds, often in a single portrait-esque frame that may as well be the result of still-photography. With such little context, we're left with endless questions about who and what we're seeing, and what sort of cultures disappear from the screen as quickly as they appear. There's real power and a magnetic draw to such an approach, but it also feels more hollow and less connective than a fuller feature. It becomes moving art, and clearly a testament to the men and women who are Mexico; the gods of the title. But without introducing us to so many of Dosantos's subjects, the film becomes an exercise in indulging an artist rather than showcasing a people. I'm decidedly glad I watched Gods of Mexico and appreciated, even loved, every minute. Alas, I was left wanting more, and not always in a good way.

Gods of Mexico Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Gods of Mexico boasts a flawless 1080p/AVC-encoded video presentation that, frame for frame, looks precisely as it was intended. The film's team of nine cinematographers have captured true beauty, both in intentionally under-saturated icy, smoky and steely color, as well as in stark, gorgeously contrasted black and white photography. Detail is exceptionally refined, with razor-sharp edge definition and crisply resolved textures. The image practically celebrates every leave, bit of bark, piece of fabric or clothing, strand of hair, rust-strewn farming tool, stalk of corn and other subtleties the camera captures, without exception. Moreover, I didn't detect a hint of macroblocking, banding or errant noise, even in the scenes that travel deep underground in caverns that seem to go on forever. Delineation is excellent, light sources don't cause pesky artifacts, and the image remains as revealing or opaque as it's meant to be. Bottom line: you won't be disappointed in the least with Oscilloscope's Blu-ray presentation.

Gods of Mexico Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There's very little in the way of voices or music in Gods of Mexico. Instead, Dosantos utilizes the natural sound of the landscapes, locations, caverns and farms (as well as the chatter of people at times) to create an immersive audio experience. Prioritization is organic and convincing, dynamics are slight but effective, and the rear speakers lend enough ambient accuracy to create believable environment after believable environment. There's not much more to it than that, but that's exactly what it's intended to be. Oscilloscope scores again.

The disc's LPCM 2.0 mix, however, is limited to two channels, making any immersion strictly subjective and tying your response to the film itself. Without rear speaker engagement or LFE oomph, there's less to marvel at sonically than one might assume going in. Technically the track delivers everything it's been handed and does its job quite well. Still, it's hard to get too excited from that same technical perspective when the film's potential is being undercut. Make sure to go with the 5.1 lossless mix instead.

Gods of Mexico Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

The Blu-ray release of Gods of Mexico includes just two extras: a 12-minute interview with director Helmut Dosantos (in HD) and the film's theatrical trailer. It's not much, so take it as you will.

Gods of Mexico Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Gods of Mexico is fascinating but frustrating, gorgeous yet incomplete, full of life but devoid of context. Your reaction will vary wildly from the next person's I suspect, though no one will deny it's a damn beautiful sight to behold. Oscilloscope's Blu-ray release, meanwhile, is unmistakably excellent. Even though its supplemental package is lacking, its video presentation is virtually perfect and its DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track is as immersive as it's meant to be. Recommended.