By Doly Mallet
It was probably thanks to Game of Thrones that great chronicles and marvelous productions returned to TV, taking us to other worlds without the need to go out and experience them on the big screen. In this new era where streaming is almost entirely replacing the cinematic experience, we are used to seeing better-quality TV shows that allow us to witness escapades and help us abandon our daily routine and ordinary life.
Illustrator:Jesus Antonio Benitez
Inés del Alma Mía falls into this category, and is one of the best examples within it. Firstly, because it’s based on the novel by the same name written by Isabel Allende; secondly, because the story is based on the biography of a remarkable woman, completely ahead of her time, the first female conquistador during the Spanish Conquest in Latin America.
We meet Inés (Elena Rivera) during the 16th century. She is a rebellious woman who, against her family’s wishes, has married an adventurer who goes searching for the legendary city of El Dorado without her. After not hearing from him for months, she goes on a quest to find him without imagining that she will have a significant role in the building of Chile as a nation. Unfortunately (and as what typically happens), patriarchal history has basically forgotten what she did for the country; of course, Isabel Allende did an excellent job of lifting her out of obscurity and into a highly entertaining tale.
But this is not your standard history lesson. It’s more akin to classic romantic epics such as Zorro, Indiana Jones, or Romancing the Stone, where a male protagonist usually leads while a damsel in distress follows. In the case of Inés, it’s not only her beauty that makes her special (she is a redhead in a town where this hair color was unfamiliar). We also learn that she has a gift for finding water in drylands (therefore, people think she is a witch).
Get featured! - Heart Of Hollywood Magazine
She disobeys a strict grandfather who wants her to become a nun, and she leaves everything behind, searching for her destiny. In the way, she finds a fantastic romantic story with Pedro de Valdivia, whom historians have credited with founding Chile. The male lead, played by an amazing Eduardo Noriega, is not only as appealing as ever. He also brings many dimensions to the complexity of his role; sometimes, we absolutely love him, and others, we completely despise him.
While watching Inés on her journey, we feel like following in her footsteps and facing the dangers of the Peruvian jungle. We yearn to navigate the seas, fight abusers, kill rapists, trade our corsets for armors, and uplift the marginalized. We wish to become leaders, question patriarchal beliefs, and break the rules that dictate what is expected of a woman, while also daring to love deeply and passionately.
Illustrator:Jesus Antonio Benitez
Ines of My Soul fills this need for adventure by transporting us to many centuries ago, surrounding us with outstanding natural landscapes and impressing us with beautiful cinematography. The realistic production shows the deep contrast between the Royal Court and the suffering of the slaves, and finally, we witness a fantastic love story that gave birth to a whole nation.
When the eight episodes come to an end, we want to leave everything behind, take a light suitcase, and go to Chile, or search for whatever our destiny is, with complete freedom.
Email: dolymallet@hotmail.com
Instagram :@dollymallet
Twitter: @dollymallet
Subscribe to our magazine
Contact us
Become a Heart of Hollywood Motion Pictures Member