In 2002 , Carlos Carrera directed a Spanish-language version of '' O Crime do Padre Amaro '' ( '' El crimen del padre Amaro '' ) in Mexico . It starred Gael García Bernal as Father Amaro and was greeted with public outrage in Mexico , where Christian groups called for it to be banned . In 2002 , it was one of the Best Foreign Language Film Nominees at the 75th Academy Awards . The film was criticized in Portugal as insufficiently faithful to the novel . It was said that Mexico in 2002 has little or nothing to do with the 19th century context in the novel ; in addition , Amaro 's motivation is different . In the novel his education steers him into the priesthood , whereas in the film he chooses to follow this path himself and has some anticlerical views . Finally , Eça 's Amélia is older ( aged 23 ) than her film equivalent , although the actress who played the part ( Ana Claudia Talancón ) turned 22 in the year the film was released
75th Academy Awards
75th Academy Awards
O Crime do Padre Amaro