5 Films & TV Shows Set In South America During The 17th Century

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  New Amsterdam

  🇧🇷 Brazil The 17th Century

  The arrival of the West Indian Companies to Natal in the XVII century is just the beginning of this violent story that pushes Bernarda and her family to run away from the city and from the invasion. In the Potengi Mill she meets the foreman's son Rafael and they immediately discover a passionate love. It will give them the force to try to survive during those violent years triggered by Jacob Rabbí, a German assigned by Prince John Maurice of Nassau to command the conquest.

  Released in 2017 • 110 minutes
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  Piratas en el Callao

  🇵🇪 Peru The 1960s The 17th Century

  A young boy travels back to the 17th century to battle pirates off the coast of Peru.

  Released in 2005 • 78 minutes
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  Quilombo

  🇧🇷 Brazil The 17th Century

  Quilombo dos Palmares was a real-life democratic society, created in Brazil in the 17th century. This incredibly elaborate (and surprisingly little-known) film traces the origins of Quilombo, which began as a community of freed slaves. The colony becomes a safe harbor for other outcasts of the world, including Indians and Jews. Ganga Zumba (Toni Tornado) becomes president of Quilombo, the first freely elected leader in the Western Hemisphere. Naturally, the ruling Portuguese want to subjugate Zumba and his followers, but the Quilombians are ready for their would-be oppressors. The end of this Brave New World is not pleasant, but the followers of Zumba and his ideals take to the hills, where they honor his memory to this day. Writer/director Carlos Diegues takes every available opportunity to compare the rise and fall of Quilombo with the state of affairs in modern-day Brazil.

  Released in 1984 • 120 minutes
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  Earthquake in Chile

  🇨🇱 Chile The 17th Century

  1975 — 1647, Santiago, Chile. Don Henrico banishes his daughter, Josephe, to a convent when he learns she loves Jeronimo, a mestizo who's a teacher in the household. The lovers meet in secret, a child is born, the pair are condemned to die, and prelates scheme to seize Don Henrico's fortune. A moment before Josephe's public execution, an earthquake devastates Santiago. Josephe finds her baby and flees the rubble; Jeronimo survives, escapes, and finds her. The reunion brings joy and rebirth. He wants to build a Utopian community, without priests. She believes they can reenter Santiago society, forgiven. Class, race, and religion dictate a world order: is there a place for these lovers?

  Released in 1975 • 86 minutes
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  El corsario negro

  🇻🇪 Venezuela The 17th Century The 18th Century

  This Mexican drama features murder, revenge, ruling power and romance in Eighteenth century Maracaibo.

  Released in 1944 • 100 minutes