The Other Conquest

The Other Conquest looks at what happens after the Spanish overthrow of the Aztec empire, telling the story from indigenous viewpoints rather than from the invaders. The film follows Topiltzin, an Aztec noble who survives the collapse and is later baptized as Tomás, as he struggles to reconcile ancestral beliefs with the new Christian order. Through personal encounters, ritual scenes and conversations with clergy and settlers, the narrative examines how social structures, spiritual life and inner identity are altered by colonization. It moves between memory and visible change, showing how people adapt, resist and try to keep older meanings alive while living under a foreign rule. The film avoids simple heroes or villains, favoring moral ambiguity and historical complexity nuance.

Released in 1999, The Other Conquest was written and directed by Salvador Carrasco. The film uses historical figures and events as its foundation, combining Spanish chronicles, indigenous perspectives and cinematic invention to retell the aftermath of Hernando Cortés' campaign boldly.

The Other Conquest had a limited theatrical run, screening at festivals and art-house venues rather than wide release. It did not post notable box office totals worldwide, finding most of its audience later through home media and academic screenings widely.

The Other Conquest stands out for prioritizing indigenous voices and imagery, shifting how Mexican cinema represents the conquest. Its scenes of ritual and language use have become reference points in university courses and cultural discussions about memory, conversion and resistance, inspiring filmmakers and scholars to reconsider national narratives and pedagogy.

Critics gave mixed to favorable reviews, noting strong performances from Damián Delgado and Elpidia Carrillo and striking visual composition, while some found the pacing uneven. Viewers and scholars respond to the film's focus on identity, syncretism, faith, historical trauma and the psychological cost of cultural conquest, and public historical debate.