Even the Rain

Filmmaker Sebastián (Gael García Bernal) arrives in Cochabamba accompanied by a cast and crew ready to make a film about Colombus's first voyage to the New World and the subsequent subjugation of the indigenous population. Sebastián wants to focus on the experience of Bartolomé de las Casas and Antonio de Montesinos, who was so distraught over the treatment of the natives that he dedicated the rest of his life to their cause. His producer Costa (Luis Tosar) has chosen Bolivia, the poorest country in South America, because extras are cheaper: they are willing to work long hours for just two dollars a day.

Sebastian casts local man Daniel (Juan Carlos Aduviri) in the role of Hatuey, the Taíno chief who led a rebellion against the Spaniards. Daniel is also one of the leaders in the demonstrations against the water shortage caused by the government's move to privatize water services to a multinational company. He gets wounded in a clash with the police. Costa offers Daniel a large sum of money to prevent him from participating in the rebellion anymore for the period of a few weeks still needed for shooting the film. He agrees and takes the advance payment of half of the total sum, but keeps on participating in the rebellion, and is imprisoned. Costa and Sebastián bribe the police for his temporary release. After the main remaining scene with him is filmed, the police arrest Daniel again.

Costa, after being persuaded by Daniel's wife, makes a dangerous trip to take Daniel's daughter to the hospital after her leg is wounded. She is saved, but her leg does not fully heal. Meanwhile, the other crew tries to move to an alternative location, but they are stopped by the authorities, and most of the crew goes home, leaving a disappointed Sebastián. The multinational leaves the country. Costa hopes the film will be finished after all.

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