The Myopia of Colonialism: Zama

Her latest feature to date, Zama, is a groundbreaking achievement. This chapter argues that Martel’s adaptation of Di Benedetto’s novel turns the modernist text into a postcolonial vision of the past that radically reimagines the position of women, slaves, and indigenous populations. Combining both meticulous research and a stunning artistic imagination, Zama provides a representation of the colony that refutes most North American and European productions while also exceeding efforts by contemporary Latin American filmmakers. Building on, and exceeding previous thematic concerns and stylistic preferences, the film must count as one of the most accomplished and complex films of the 21st century.