The Apocalypto Cast
Mel Gibson tackled the end of the Mayan Empire with his film Apocalypto. As writer/director Gibson took on the merciless and bloody aspects of a once great civilization.
Filmed in Mexico, the Apacalypto cast was made up of indigenous Americans speaking the Yucatec dialect. Gibson wanted an indigenous cast for the movie so they found the Apocalypto cast from the regions of the Yucatan, Mexico City, Oaxaca, Xalapa, Veracruz as well as some other spots. Two of the cast members were from the US and three others were from Canada. The Bulk of the Apocalypto Cast was definitely from Mayan territory as they came from Central America.
The main character Jaguar Jaw played by Rudy Youngblood made his acting debut in this film. Rudy is from Comanche, Cree and Yaqui people. He was raised in Washington State as well as Texas and Arizona. Also known as Tee-Dee-Nae or Strong Boy; Rudy is a powerful grass dancer, singer and artist. He has co created and produced a piece called “Elements” which will make its debut this year. It is a Native American theatrical production of dance, music, film and story telling.
Rudy Youngblood is also a gifted horseman and athlete including a championship boxer and cross-country runner. As an artist he uses oil and acrylic paints, prisma colors, pastels and charcoal in his artwork. He is always looking for a way to give back to the Native American community. Dalia Hernandez who played his wife “Seven” was born in Veracruz Mexico. She has been studying dance for 5 years at the University of Veracruz. This was also her first acting experience. Jonathan Brewer is from the Blood reservation in Canada. Prior to his part in Apocalypto, he had a small role in playing a dog soldier in the Hallmark TV production of “ Dream Keeper”. He studied criminal justice in college and teaches his culture to inner city children. Morris Bird who played “Flint Sky” who was Jaguar Jaw’s father in the movie is a treaty Indian indigenous to Canada. His past acting feats include “Daughters of Joy”, “Into the West” and “Dream Keeper”. He has an upcoming film called “September Dawn” that was written and produced by Christopher Cain. Morris comes from a long lineage of heritage chiefs. Carlos Emilio Baez “Turtles Run” is four years old and makes his acting debut in Apocalypto. He lives with his family in Cancun, Mexico. Raoul Trujillo who was the Main Warrior to capture Jaguar Jaw and his family is an accomplished actor, dancer and choreographer who’s career spans 25 years. He teaches the Nikolais Dance Technique all over the world. Among his many dance performances and programs “The Shamans Journey” was turned into a short dance film for PBS’s Alive off Center. These are just a few of the main Apocalypto cast members mentioned from the film Apocalypto. The Apocalypto cast is blended with professional and local indigenous talent. One of the cast members that I will end with is Maria Isidra Hoil. She played the Oracle Girl. She comes from a small Mayan Village and only speaks Mayan. This experience for this seven year old was a real adventure. She had never before seen a car, bus or plane. In the hotel was her first experience of seeing a floor that was not made of dirt not to mention she never saw a movie before in her life.Now she was definitely an authentic Apocalypto cast member.
Mayan Civilization Ancient Maya History
| 