The Crime of Padre Amaro (2002)

The Crime of Father Amaro, sometimes The Crime of Padre Amaro, (Spanish: El crimen del padre Amaro) is a 2002 film directed by Carlos Carrera. It is very loosely based on the novel O Crime do Padre Amaro (1875) by 19th-century Portuguese writer José Maria de Eça de Queiroz.

When it was released, The Crime of Father Amaro caused a controversy on the part of Roman Catholic groups in Mexico who tried to stop the film from being screened. They failed, and the film became the biggest box office draw ever in the country, beating previous record holder, Sexo, pudor y lágrimas (1999).

In the United States of America, this film also enjoyed commercial success; this film's United States distributor paid less than $1 million to acquire the film's North American distribution rights, and the film went on to gross $5.7 million in limited theatrical release in the United States.

The film starred Gael García Bernal, Ana Claudia Talancón and Sancho Gracia. It premiered on 16 August 2002 in Mexico City.

Synopsis

Newly ordained Padre Amaro arrives in Los Reyes, a small town in the fictional state of Aldama, to start his life serving the church. He is a protégé of a ruthless political bishop, while the local priest, Father Benito, is having a long ongoing affair with a local restaurant owner. Benito is building a large hospital and recuperation center, which is partially funded by a drug lord. Meanwhile, another priest in the area, Father Natalio, is under investigation for supporting left-wing insurgents in his secluded rural church area.

Actors