‘Carne De Dios’: An Animated Descent Into The Sacred And The Profane

Argentine filmmaker Patricio Plaza’s Carne de Dios (Flesh of God) is a feverish descent into the body and the spirit, now available in full on YouTube. Set during Mexico’s colonial period, it follows a sickly Spanish priest who becomes the subject of the same indigenous rituals he has been violently suppressing. What begins as a story of conquest, faith, and exploitation transforms into a visceral reckoning.

With art direction by Gervasio Canda and painterly backgrounds by Facundo “Sike” Cobbe, Carne de Dios utilizes colonial religious iconography, Bosch-like grotesques, and raw textures reminiscent of Latin American muralism. The hand-drawn animation, created by artists based in Argentina, Mexico, and Colombia, shows off an organic motion that immerses viewers in a world where sacred and carnal realities coexist. Salvador Félix’s sometimes disturbing sound design heightens the sensory overload experienced by its characters, amplifying every breath, prayer, and guttural scream.

The Annie-nominated short premiered at Annecy 2023 and screened at celebrated festivals worldwide, including Pixelatl, Guadalajara, and Tallinn Black Nights. It was produced by Fedora Productions and Ojo Raro, with Miyu Distribution handling distribution.