Even the Rain (Tambien la Lluvia)

Even the Rain (Tambien la Lluvia)

JustWatch#17,8606

Year: 2011

Runtime: 103 min

Language: Spanish

Director: Icíar Bollaín

History

During the filming of a historical drama about Christopher Columbus in Bolivia, a director and his crew find themselves caught up in social unrest and protests against the privatization of water. As they attempt to recreate a pivotal moment in history, they are forced to confront the parallels between the Spanish conquest of the Americas five centuries ago and the struggles of the Bolivian people today. The experience profoundly impacts their perspectives and challenges their understanding of colonialism and its enduring legacy.

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Even the Rain (Tambien la Lluvia) (2011) – Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained

Read the complete plot breakdown of Even the Rain (Tambien la Lluvia) (2011), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened, and what it all means.

Mexican filmmaker Sebastián and his Spanish executive producer Costa arrive in the heart of Cochabamba, Bolivia, joined by their dedicated cast and crew, to create a historical film about Christopher Columbus's daring journey to the New World. The film will explore the imposition of Spanish authority over the indigenous people of Hispaniola, culminating in the courageous rebellion led by Hatuey. With a keen awareness of his budget constraints, Costa opts to shoot in Bolivia, the poorest country in South America, leading to an overwhelming turnout of hundreds of eager Bolivian locals responding to open casting calls.

Sebastián chooses Daniel, a spirited local, to portray the rebellious Taíno chief, Hatuey. Alongside him, Daniel's daughter Belén also secures a significant role, marking the beginning of their journey in the film. During casting, tensions arise when directors begin to turn people away. In a passionate outburst, Daniel demands that every aspiring actor deserves a fair chance to audition, echoing the promise made in the casting pamphlet. Despite Costa's reservations about hiring him, Sebastián is captivated by Daniel's fervor, unaware of his involvement in a local protest against the controversial water privatization plan.

As filming progresses, the atmosphere turns tense when Anton, the actor portraying Columbus, grapples with alcoholism. Costa's unease grows as he discovers Daniel's revolutionary activities. During shooting, Costa makes derogatory remarks about the locals in English, oblivious to the fact that Daniel can understand him. This revelation causes Daniel to become increasingly aware of the exploitation his people are facing, leading to a transformation in Costa's perspective as he begins to feel guilt for his prior indifference.

As the shoot nears completion, the indigenous people's frustration boils over, prompting them to rise up for their right to water. Daniel, defying pleas to tone down his activism for a higher pay, champions the protests, drawing Costa's ire when he witnesses Daniel being brutally beaten by the police amidst the riots. In a desperate attempt to quiet Daniel, Costa offers him a substantial bribe, which Daniel accepts, but he chooses to assist the demonstrators instead, ultimately leading to his imprisonment.

Sebastián wrestles with his conscience, pondering whether the film can be finished, yet finds solace in Costa's determination to secure Daniel’s temporary release by bribing the police to film a critical scene depicting the execution of Hatuey. After completing this harrowing scene, the police arrive to detain Daniel once more, but in a surprising turn, the extras come to his aid, orchestrating his escape.

That evening, actors Juan and Alberto watch the distressing news unfolding in Cochabamba, their concern prompting them to demand to leave the project. In a plea, Sebastián implores them to stay, and they reluctantly agree. The following day, as preparations for the next filming day ensue, Costa is approached by Daniel's wife, Teresa. Desperate for help, she seeks Costa's assistance in locating Belén, who has gone missing amidst the protests and is critically injured. Initially hesitant, Costa is eventually swayed by Teresa’s relentless appeals, even as Sebastián passionately protests against it.

Navigating the devastated streets of Cochabamba, Costa is confronted with the stark reality of their situation. After an arduous journey, they manage to find Belén. While her life is saved, her leg sustains severe injuries that may hinder her future mobility. Meanwhile, a military blockade halts the rest of the crew, leading all but Anton to abandon Sebastián to return home. Shortly after, the revolution leads to the ejection of the multinational water company, yet the city lies in ruins from the conflict. Expressing a glimmer of hope for the film’s completion, Costa receives a heartfelt gift from Daniel in the form of a vial of Bolivian water, signifying gratitude for saving his daughter.

Last updated: November 08, 2024 at 02:57

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Even the Rain (Tambien la Lluvia) (2011) Plot Questions Answered – Summary FAQ

Explore frequently asked questions about Even the Rain (Tambien la Lluvia) (2011) with spoiler-rich answers covering the full plot summary, major story beats, character motivations, hidden details, and ending meaning. This movie summary FAQ helps explain confusing scenes, plot twists, and narrative decisions in clear, searchable detail.

Q1

Why is Daniel arrested during filming?

A.

Daniel is arrested because of his involvement in local protests against water privatization. Although Costa bribes him to tone down his activism, Daniel uses the money to support the demonstrators instead of staying quiet. His continued leadership in the protests leads to his imprisonment by police.

Earlier, Costa discovers Daniel's activism and grows uneasy about hiring him, foreshadowing the conflict to come.

daniel arrestwater protestscochabambaimprisonment
Q2

Does Daniel understand English when Costa makes derogatory remarks?

A.

Yes, Daniel understands English despite Costa being unaware. When Costa makes derogatory remarks about the locals in English, believing Daniel cannot understand him, Daniel becomes aware of the exploitation his people face. This realization strengthens his resolve to continue his activism.

This incident occurs early in filming, setting up the tension between Costa and Daniel.

danielcostaenglishmisunderstandingexploitation
Q3

Why does Daniel accept Costa's bribe but then help the protesters?

A.

Daniel accepts the substantial bribe from Costa, likely out of financial desperation, but he immediately uses the money to assist the demonstrators rather than silence himself. This choice demonstrates that his commitment to the protest cause outweighs personal financial gain, leading to his imprisonment.

Costa's bribe attempt happens after Daniel is beaten by police, showing Costa's attempt to control the situation.

bribedanielprotestcochabambabetrayal
Q4

Why do the film extras help Daniel escape from police?

A.

The film extras, who are local Bolivians, rally together to help Daniel escape after filming the execution scene of Hatuey. Their action is a spontaneous display of solidarity with Daniel's activism and reflects their understanding of the historical rebellion being depicted in the film, making the parallel between fiction and reality tangible.

This moment connects the film they're making, about indigenous resistance, to the real-life protest happening around them.

extras escapedanielpolicecommunitysolidarity
Q5

What happens to Belén and why is her injury significant?

A.

Belén, Daniel's daughter who also has a role in the film, goes missing during the protests and is critically injured. When Costa and Teresa find her, her life is saved but her leg sustains severe damage that may permanently affect her mobility. This tragedy personalizes the violence of the protests and impacts Daniel personally.

Daniel's activism puts his family at risk, and Teresa's desperate plea for help foreshadows Belén's condition.

beleninjuryteresadanielmissing
Q6

How does the water privatization protest relate to the movie they're filming?

A.

The film depicts Spanish colonization and the rebellion led by Hatuey against Spanish authority. The real-world water privatization protests in Cochackbarba mirror this historical struggle, the indigenous people fighting against foreign exploitation and for control of their natural resources. The film crew becomes entangled in this modern rebellion, forcing them to confront the parallels between past and present colonialism.

The film's subject matter about indigenous resistance was chosen precisely to highlight similar struggles, making the coincidence with real events symbolically powerful.

water privatizationcochabambahatueycolonialismhistorical parallel
Q7

Why does Costa help find Belén after initially refusing?

A.

Initially hesitant, Costa is moved by Teresa's relentless desperation to find her missing daughter. Despite Sebastián's objections, Costa agrees to help because the situation has become urgent, Belén is critically injured and possibly dying. This marks a turning point where Costa shifts from being a detached producer to someone actively caring about the locals beyond the film.

Earlier, Costa makes derogatory remarks about locals and bribes Daniel, showing his transformation from indifference to compassion.

costabelenteresahelptransformation
Q8

What is the significance of the vial of water at the end?

A.

Daniel gives Costa a vial of Bolivian water as a gift of gratitude for helping save Belén's life. This gesture symbolizes hope, healing, and the connection formed between the filmmakers and the local community. It also represents the preciousness of water, the very thing the protests were fought over, now given as a token of appreciation rather than taken by corporations.

The water vial echoes the central conflict of the protests and the film's thematic focus on exploitation of natural resources.

water vialdanielhopegratitudeending
Q9

Why does Sebastián want to continue filming despite the chaos?

A.

Sebastián wrestles with his conscience about whether the film can even be completed given the surrounding chaos, but he finds encouragement from Costa's determination to push forward. Sebastián believes in the film's message about colonialism and wants to complete it, viewing the production as meaningful despite, or perhaps because of, the real-world events unfolding around them.

Sebastián's commitment to telling the story of Hatuey's rebellion reflects his belief in the importance of this historical narrative.

sebastianfilm completiondeterminationhatuey
Q10

Why is Anton struggling as the Columbus actor?

A.

Anton, the actor portraying Columbus, grapples with alcoholism during the filming. The pressures of the production combined with the intense and chaotic environment of the protests contribute to his personal struggles, affecting his performance and the overall mood on set.

This subplot adds to the mounting tensions and reflects the psychological toll the production faces.

antonalcoholismcolumbusactor struggles
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Movies about art clashing with reality like Even the Rain (Tambien la Lluvia)

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Dramas that draw powerful parallels between past exploitation and present-day struggles.If you were fascinated by how Even the Rain connects the Spanish conquest to modern water privatization, this collection is for you. Discover other powerful films that use historical allegory to illuminate current social unrest, exploitation, and activism, offering a thought-provoking double narrative.

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Why These Movies?

These movies are grouped together because they share a specific thematic and structural approach: using a historical lens to critique modern issues. They deliver a heavy emotional impact through their urgent, socially conscious themes and a bittersweet tone, mixing the gravity of historical tragedy with the precarious hope of modern resistance.

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