Written and Narrated by Carlos Fuentes, Mexico's well-known novelist, THE BURIED MIRROR takes you on a fascinating journey through five hundred years of Spanish and Latin American history.With the explosion of the Spanish-speaking population in the US, the series provides a timely basis for both Hispanics and non-Hispanics to understand this dramatically expanding culture. Using a variety of film techniques, THE BURIED MIRROR is a dramatic and gripping recreation of history.The series was originally produced by Sogetel in association with the Smithsonian Institution and is now availlable as a 5-DVD Set containing all five programs (one hour each).Program 1: The Virgin and the Bull. Carlos Fuentes examines the meaning of mestizaje, the mix of people that created Latin America: Spanish, Arab, Jewish, Indian and African.Program 2: The Conflict of the Gods. Fuentes retraces the indigenous world through its pyramids and sculptures. The return of their blond, exiled god, Quetzalcoatl, was forecast for the very year Cortes reached its shores.Program 3: The Age of Gold. The colonies brought Spain (and ultimately Europe ) enormous treasures: gold, silver, chocolate, tomatoes, the potato. Yet Spain's most powerful ruler, Philip II, lived in austere solitude in a cell-like study.Program 4: The Price of Freedom. Every year a million Mexicans gather in the great central square of their capital to celebrate El Grito, the cry for Independence . Fuentes crosses the Andes to follow the steps of the great liberators, Bolívar and San Martin.Program 5: Unfinished Business. Spain, Latin America and the Hispanic communities in the United States all have undergone enormous changes. Fuentes comments on the traditions which Hispanic immigrants bring to the US in art, music and dance, respect for family ties distinct hallmarks of the Spanish-speaking world. Please note: This is the ENGLISH language version. The SPANISH language version (filmed separately - not dubbed or subtitled) is available as EL ESPEJO ENTERRADO.