On Sunday, June 4th, PeruRail attended the highly anticipated Avant Premiere of the film Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, and after two hours of film, we left the theater very satisfied because it was a delight to see the beautiful Peruvian landscapes on the big screen. As expected, the city of Cusco and the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu, our Modern Wonder, are now in the eyes of the world.
Let’s take a closer look at the Cusco locations that were depicted on the big screen in this action-packed film, filled with adventure and the beloved Autobots, and now the Maximals. We warn you in advance: Spoiler alert!
Qoricancha
When the intern Elena Wallace investigates the strange marks on the eagle figurine, she realizes their connection to some found in the Temple of the Sun in Cusco, Peru. Although its real name in Quechua is not mentioned, it refers to the Qoricancha.
As we know, this place of worship is famous for symbolizing the clear clash between two cultures: the Spanish and the Inca, as after the Spanish conquest, the Convent of Santo Domingo was built on top of the temple’s remains. Learn more about this Inca sanctuary here: Qoricancha.
Sacsayhuaman
When our beloved Autobots arrive in Cusco, they land in the remains of the ceremonial center of Sacsayhuaman. From here, they have an excellent view of the city, where they will plan their next steps to find the missing part of the key that will allow them to return to their world. They specifically focus on the Qoricancha and the Cusco Main Square.
The Archaeological Center of Sacsayhuaman, considered an icon of Inca architecture in the Imperial City of Cusco, was built with the help of more than 20,000 men and took around 50 years to complete. Impressed by these facts? Learn more about this construction made of cyclopean blocks here: Sacsayhuaman.
Main Square
Our protagonists seek to reach the Qoricancha temple by passing through the crowd gathered in the Main Square, where the Inti Raymi is taking place. Here we can see different floats, folk dances from the region, live music, and vibrant colors overall. Furthermore, our human protagonists, Elena Wallace and Noah Diaz, wear traditional costumes from the region to blend in and go unnoticed by the Predacons.
As we have always reiterated, the Cusco Main Square is a visual delight for any first-time tourist who visits it. Its colonial architecture has a story to tell, and as the legend goes, Manco Cápac and Mama Ocllo founded the Empire of Tahuantinsuyo in this place. Learn more about this must-visit location here: Cusco Main Square.
Inti Raymi
The ancient Festival of the Sun, known as Inti Raymi in Quechua, turns out to be the most eye-catching scene in the entire Transformers: Rise of the Beasts film. Among the distinguishable dances are the mischievous Saqras, the Wallatas, the Caporales, and the Huaylarsh.
Photo 4: Inti Raymi in Cusco
This ancestral ceremony, where homage is paid to the Sun god or Inti every June 24th, has become one of the most popular celebrations in Peru, attracting numerous visitors, both local and foreign, year after year. If you’re looking for a celebration full of culture, color, and history, don’t hesitate to read our article about everything you need to know about Inti Raymi.
Machu Picchu
One of the best action scenes takes place in the grounds of our Modern Wonder: Machu Picchu. The clash between the Autobots and Maximals on one side, and the Predacons led by Scourge on the other, unfolds in the main square of the citadel, as well as on the famous terraces, and concludes with a shot that showcases the Pisonay tree. This “lonely tree” was cultivated over 200 years ago and was considered sacred by the Incas.
Photo 5: The Inca Citadel of Machu Picchu, Machu Picchu Main Square, Side terraces of Machu Picchu, Pisonay, the lonely tree
To talk about the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu is to talk not only about the architectural advancements of the Inca civilization but also about an ancient culture. The complexity of its construction is such that the exact purpose of this citadel located at 2,430 meters above sea level is still not known for certain. We share with you what is already known and historically recorded in our Machu Picchu timeline.
Bonus: Quechua Language
In a conversation between Optimus Primal and Optimus Prime, the gorilla mentions to the trailer that they, more than hiding, adapted to their environment. Proof of this is the close relationship the Maximals have with humans, specifically with the last descendant family of the Andean tribe that took care of them when they arrived on our planet hundreds of years ago.
In this scene, a brief exchange in Quechua can be heard between the leader of the Maximals and the curaca Amaru. Here is the translation:
- Amaru: Qusikuni jamuskayquimanta machukausaq masillay. (I’m glad you came to our village, old companion.)
- Optimus Primal: Allillanchu wayqey (How are you, brother?)
Photo 6: Quechua Language
This indigenous language belongs to the Cusco region and the Andes in South America. Quechua has a long history and was the main language of the Inca Empire. Would you like to learn more about this language? We invite you to read our blog post to learn more about the Language of the Incas.
Interesting Facts
- The Avant Premiere of the film Transformers: Rise of the Beasts in the city of Cusco was almost like a ceremony. A car parade was organized in the Main Square, and they were greeted by the Inca at the doors of the Cusco Cathedral. There were also fireworks, Autobots cosplays, and the day ended with an outdoor concert.
- The film was entirely dubbed in Quechua by fans. With this inclusive gesture, the film was able to reach thousands of Quechua speakers in the region. It should be noted that only the scene of the conversation between Amaru and Optimus Primal mentioned earlier was preserved in Quechua in all existing official dubs.
- Although the film is set in 1994, the inclusion of the song “Ruff Ryders’ Anthem” by DMX presented in the second trailer was criticized because it was released later, in 1998.
- The chase scene between the Autobots and Predacons within the city of Cusco was filmed on the road that leads from the city of Cusco to the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
- The film was released a few days before the ancestral celebration of Inti Raymi. As mentioned before, this film refers to this festivity, but what the producers did not know is that this celebration consists of three stages: Qoricancha, the Main Square, and Sacsayhuaman. The film shows the ceremony as exclusive to the Main Square, leaving out the other two locations.
- The scenes of the lush jungle where the Autobots meet the rest of the Maximals were filmed in Tarapoto, belonging to the department of San Martín, located in the eastern zone of Peru. It makes sense that a forest with those characteristics would serve as a home for the animals that the Maximals represent, but in reality, there is no such place within the Cusco department.
- Lastly, this is not the first time Machu Picchu has appeared in the Transformers universe. In episode 9 of their first animated series, the Autobots and Decepticons travel to Peru in search of the Power Crystal, but the temple where this treasure rests turns out to be a Mayan pyramid, something entirely inaccurate to what we find in Inca Culture.
Take advantage of the film’s screening to enjoy a movie full of action, adventure, and a lot of culture. Never before have Cusco, Machu Picchu, and Inca Culture been exposed to the world as they are now thanks to the seventh art.
Photo 7: Train to Machu Picchu
If you are in Cusco and want to visit the Inca citadel, recognized as a New Modern Wonder, you can buy your train tickets to Machu Picchu here: Train to Machu Picchu. See you on board!