“Bernal creates a stunningly real, three-dimensional character study through his detailed portrayal of Father Amaro’s struggles with the Church’s demands and with his inner passions…. Carrera’s sharp morality tale follows these well-developed, conflicted characters through to the final consequences of their actions.” - Toronto International Film Festival

Newly ordained Father Amaro is sent to a small parish to assist the aging Father Benito, and gain field experience before his transfer to Rome. The ambitious young Padre meets Amelia, a beautiful young girl whose religious devotion develops into a growing attraction to the young Priest. Amaro soon discovers that Amelia’s mother, Sanjuanera, has been in a relationship with Father Benito for years, and that Benito has ties to both criminal and radical political leaders in the small community.
Based on the 19th century Portuguese classic O Crime do Padre Amaro, the novel’s daring mix of anti-clericism and romantic emotiveness took more than 30 years to finally reach the screen. Acclaimed director Carlos Carrera shifts the tale to the present day and sets it in the small Mexican town of Los Reyes. Father Amaro is played by Gael García Bernal, the Latin American superstar best known to international audiences for his work in the Oscar™-nominated Amores Perros, and Alfonso Cuaron’s Y Tu Mama Tambien.

The film was a 2003 Golden Globe Nominee for Best Foreign Language Film, and the National Board of Review named it one of the top five foreign language films of 2002, and it is currently nominated for the Academy Award.

Warning: This film contains coarse language and sexual content.