Documentary  •  2017  •  85 min

Humboldt in Mexico: The Gaze of the Explorer (2017)

Humboldt in Mexico: The Gaze of the Explorer poster

Humboldt in Mexico: The Gaze of the Explorer (2017)


Rating & Dimensions

Bias Rating
Analyzing...
Leans Progressive
Political: Leans Left
Diversity: Moderate
Family Values: Mixed
Christianity: Negative

Viewer Rating
6.6

Overview

The greatest explorer of the Americas, German scientist Alexander von Humboldt, narrates his voyage to New Spain in 1803 as he prepares his magnum opus Cosmos for publication from his library in Berlin. During his journey, he discovers Mexico’s extraordinary biodiversity; its mineral, volcanic, architectural, and pre-Hispanic richness; and its profound inequalities.


Starring Cast

Alexander Holtmann  •   Robert Bye  •   Ottmar Ette


Where to watch

Detailed Bias Analysis

Analyzing...
Leans Progressive

Primary

Political: Leans Left
Confidence: High

The film critically examines Alexander von Humboldt's expedition through the lens of 'the gaze of the explorer,' aligning with progressive values by deconstructing Eurocentric perspectives and re-evaluating historical power dynamics.

Diversity: Moderate
Confidence: High

The movie employs traditional casting, aligning with the historical figures depicted. Its narrative, however, offers a nuanced perspective on the historical context of exploration, subtly examining the 'gaze' of a European explorer in Mexico.

Secondary

Family Values: Mixed
Confidence: High

The film is a documentary focused on Alexander von Humboldt's scientific expedition through Mexico, and as such, it does not depict family structures, roles, or values in any meaningful way within its narrative.

Christianity: Negative
Confidence: High

The film, through the lens of Humboldt's scientific observations in colonial Mexico, likely portrays the institutional Church as a force intertwined with colonial power, often imposing its doctrines and suppressing indigenous practices. This depiction would highlight its role in societal control rather than spiritual uplift, contrasting with scientific inquiry and indigenous resilience.

LGBTQ: N/A
Confidence: High

This docudrama chronicles Alexander von Humboldt's scientific expedition through Mexico, emphasizing his contributions to natural history and his interactions with the environment and society of New Spain. The film does not feature any identifiable LGBTQ+ characters or themes, nor does it delve into the personal life or sexuality of Humboldt or other figures.

Trans: N/A
Confidence: High

The film is a historical documentary chronicling Alexander von Humboldt's scientific expedition to Mexico in the early 19th century. Its narrative focuses on his observations of nature, culture, and society during that period. There are no identifiable transgender characters or themes depicted within the film's historical and scientific scope.

Female Combat: N/R

The movie does not contain any action or adventure elements.

Gender Swap: No
Confidence: High

The film is a documentary/docudrama centered on the historical figure Alexander von Humboldt, who was male and is portrayed by a male actor. There is no evidence of any other historically established character being portrayed as a different gender.

Race Swap: No
Confidence: High

The film depicts Alexander von Humboldt, a historical figure who was white, portrayed by a white actor. No evidence suggests any other historically or canonically established character was portrayed by an actor of a different race.

Hinduism: N/A
Confidence: High

Not depicted in the film.


Viewer Rating Breakdown

6.6

Viewer Rating

Combines user and critic ratings from four sources

User Ratings

IMDB logo
6.9
The Movie Database logo
6.3

Critic Ratings

Rotten Tomatoes logo
N/A
Metacritic logo
N/A

More Like This