Colombian Films

kalder says on Mar 13, 2007, 13:50:

'La Sierra' is a marvellous 'fly-on-the-wall' documentary about an AUC gang in Medellin.

'American Visa' is a cracking social drama. It's Bolivian, but it addresses a lot of the type of issues that concern Colombia as well. It's not a 'weepy' either; it's upbeat and a lot of fun.

These and most popular Colombian films are available easily enough in London. Whether they'll be first-generation copies, is another matter...

"kalder- have you ever had a woman?"--Sam Salmon

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packagegirl says on Mar 13, 2007, 13:57:

Well.... Sumas y Restas, La virgen de los Sicarios, Rodrigo D No futuro

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coastal gringo says on Mar 13, 2007, 15:06:

Great Movie La vendadora de rosas

“Dissent is the Highest Form of Patriotism.� -Thomas Jefferson

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Simon says on Mar 13, 2007, 15:14:

Movies like 'La virgen de los sicarios' and 'venderoa de rosas' are crap. These movies are nothing more than ill-intentioned attempts by some bitter colombian filmmakers to tarnish their own country.

HERE'S SIMON!!!!

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bhill says on Mar 13, 2007, 16:10:

Colombian Films
Here is a big list:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Colombian_films

-Brian

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Monacomatt says on Mar 13, 2007, 19:46:

'La virgen de los sicarios' i thought this movie was excellent. didnt have any idea what it was about bur really enjoyed it(well didnt "enjoy" it but thought it was a great movie.. roderigo d also good.. a bit of a downer but still good
i have Bolivar soy yo but havent watched it yet

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astroanne says on Mar 14, 2007, 05:54:

Two excellent films Golpe de Estadio - a humourous look at the civil war.

Watch it before or after La Primera Noche, a heart-rendingly real representation of the personal situations behind war and displacement.
Anne

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packagegirl says on Mar 14, 2007, 11:42:

Simon, I don't think so la vendedora de Rosas shows how Medellín was in the 90s, furthermore it won 14 awards, it is worth it to go see

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Mononoke28 says on Mar 14, 2007, 11:47:

I read... ... in El Colombiano that a movie called "Gringo Wedding" is out in theaters, I'm sure it'll be out on DVD soon. Unless you go to El Hueco and find it pirata. XD

Diana

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Simon says on Mar 14, 2007, 21:02:

PackageGirl,
'La Vendedora PackageGirl,

'La Vendedora de Rosas' is nothing more than a cheap exploitation flick. It doesn't even have a plot and focuses on the scum of Colombian society, not to mention that it only exacerbates Colombia's bad image. I see nothing to be proud about this movie.

HERE'S SIMON!!!!

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Monpirri says on Mar 14, 2007, 21:06:

I agree with Simon, there are couple of good Colombian films. I have posted one here and overthere that won in a film festival in Europe but I cannot find the damn thread.

Annette Taddeo for US Congress 2008

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manINred says on Mar 14, 2007, 21:13:

uhhh... it won 14 awards!!!! I think I'll go with Packagegirl's recommendation, realize that YES there exists problems in Colombia that can be illustrated in film and YES despite the negative aspects that are portrayed in the films, they can still be wonderful works of art.

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Simon says on Mar 14, 2007, 22:53:

What awards were those? The Razzies? Because it sure didn't get any Oscars or Golden Globes.

Go watch this movie, and then you'll see that this is definitely no "wonderful work of art". It's the most depressing, sordid piece of garbage I've ever seen. It's director, Victor Gaviria, is infamous for only making movies about the scum of Colombian society, that's why most decent colombians I know hate the guy.


If you want to see a Colombian movie that deals with the country's problems in a respectful and even comical manner, I suggest you watch 'Bolivar Soy Yo'. Now that's a great movie!

HERE'S SIMON!!!!

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manINred says on Mar 14, 2007, 23:23:

Ahh I don't know Simon I couldnt' tell you which awards, but 14 of something. Is 'Bolivar Soy Yo' the one where the protagonist has a character complex? He plays Bolivar as an actor and refuses to depict the death of Bolivar as anything other than reality? I'll definitely make an effor to see the film. All recommended here for that matter.

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Simon says on Mar 14, 2007, 23:59:

Yes, that's the one. Unlike other Colombian movies, in this one the protagonist is not some guerrilla, mule, drug-trafficker, sicario, or whore.

HERE'S SIMON!!!!

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AnaMaria says on Mar 15, 2007, 05:08:

Por Favor !!! La Vendedora de Rosas, La Virgen de los Sicarios, Maria Full of Grace and all of those movies are overrated...We don't need to see that "realidad colombiana" anymore, as we all know how it is already! I recommend "Golpe de Estadio" very good one, "La Pena Maxima" is hilarious you'll laugh your butt off. "La Gente de la Universal" or "La Estrategia del Caracol" are a little old but worth seeing. There's a lot more to Colombia on movies than just coca, sicarios, pobreza and mulas.

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packagegirl says on Mar 15, 2007, 14:18:

Simon deja de pelear por tonterías ConorC sólo quiere saber de películas Colombianas, no si estas o no reflejan la realidad Colombiana, y creo que es algo bueno que tengamos directores buenos y películas buenas. Estos son los premios para tu información:
Bogota Film Festival 1998 - Best Director, Best Film
Ariel Awards 2000 - Nominated Best Latin - American Film
Bratislava Internacional Film Festival 1999 - Best Actress
Cannes Film Festival 1998- Nominated Golden Palm Victor Gaviria
HAvana Festival - Won: ARCI-LUCA Award, Best Editing, CARACOL Special Award,Glauber Rocha Award,OCIC Award, Special Mention
Miami Hispanic Film Festival 1999 - Golden Egret - Best Director
Viña del MAr Film Festival 1998 - Paoa, Best Actress, Best Director

Creo que estas exagerando un poco, aquí sólo se trata de ilustrar sobre películas, igual si él pregunta en otro lugar o busca en Internet le darán una lista similar.
Las películas sólo son para entretener, no para obligar a alguien que piense o no de alguna manera sobre algún país. Creo que el hombre es suficientemente inteligente para elegir que pensar o no sobre Colombia, no basado necesariamente por lo que diga una película. O sino entonces yo pensaría que no puedo viajar a muchos lugares del mundo por lo que he visto en las películas.
A otro foro que no vuelvo a entrar. Por qué tienen que pelear por todo?

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Coqueton says on Mar 15, 2007, 20:26:

I got recently Soñar no cuesta nada about a bunch of soldiers who find millions of dollars in stashes FARC money in the jungle.

Also Mi Abuelo, Mi Padre y yo or something like that I saw a year ago at the cinema in Baranquilla.

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Monpirri says on Mar 15, 2007, 21:03:

Las peliculas como la novelas tienen mucho que ver con la influencia sobre la opinion publica. Por ejemplo, las novelas culturales e interesentes de Colombia que muestran como somos, como hablamos, como vivimos, estas obras estan comenzando a llegar a otro paises lejanos como Europa pero con otra cara que no es la foto de la cultura colombiana. Esto tiene un efecto negativo para Colombia y la economia colombiana. porque? Por que los europeos o el pais donde llegan las supuestas novelas colombianas llegan sin una imagen de Colombia, esto se debe que el libreto, el folclor que dibuja el pais ya no existe porque ha sido cambiado por el pais que quiere promover su imagen. Vean, Betty la fea, las Juanas... Los televidentes europeos o de otros continentes una vez que ellos hayan visto las novelas y les haya gustado los episodios, ellos van a querer visitar el pais que la 'nueva' novela esta promoviendo y desafortunadamente no es Colombia y por lo tanto posibles ingresos de turismo o inverciones se pierden por esa razon. Igualmente la peliculas que promueven las drogas, cicarios,la prostitucion y temas de esa indole estan vendiendo una imagen que no es favorable de Colombia. No creen ustedes que Colombia tiene mucho mejores temas para difundir al publico?

Annette Taddeo for US Congress 2008

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Moya says on Mar 16, 2007, 03:21:

Not a movie, exactly, but brilliant fun! At the considerable risk of raising Simon's ire, I would recommend the telenovela Sin Tetas no hay Paraiso. I'm sure any Colombian in the UK could tell you either where to find a copy, or who to ask. Yes, it deals with the seedy underbelly of Colombian society, and revels in the opportunity to employ frequent shock tactics, but hey, that is the joy of telenovelas, after all! It is based on a true story (somewhat melodramatised for its audience, I suspect) as recorded by journalist Gustavo Bolivar about the girls in Pereira who entertain (we're not talking a home cooked meal and a game of scrabble, here) the local "traquetos", or drug bosses in exchange for money and gifts. They are known locally as "prepagos" or "pay as you go's" which had me in stitches! The story focusses on one flat chested and particularly stupid girl, Catalina, who believes that if she could only find the money for breast implants she could join the elite of Pereira's prepagos and make her fortune.

Its very entertaining stuff and I learned loads of pereiran slang watching it! I'm sure there's loads more worthy stuff for when you feel so inclined, but if you just want to relax with a cup of coffee for an hour and be entertained, this series is perfect.

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kalder says on Mar 16, 2007, 03:34:

'Sin Tetas...' is enormous fun. In fact, there's been a couple of threads about it here already.

Copies can be obtained in London.

"kalder- have you ever had a woman?"--Sam Salmon

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larumberainglesa says on Mar 16, 2007, 05:43:

A cup of coffee for an hour?? We bought Sin Tetas at Xmas in Cartagena and my husband watched it all day and night all the way through on his laptop! When he went on the beach next day he said 'That's her- the one from the novela! - pointing out a chica in the rented sunshade next to ours. I thought he had spotted a famous actress but he was pointing out what he had identified as a 'prepago'. I had been moaning at him for being glued to the box but when we got back to the UK I put the DVD in the laptop and was hooked every night til it was finished! I have just lent it to a Costa Rican friend and asked her what she thought of it and she said here and her husband had watched it every night for the last week til the end. It's not something anyone could just watch for an hour!!

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Monpirri says on Mar 16, 2007, 19:32:

Larumberainglesa Oh, I have not seen "Sin Tetas no hay Paraiso" but it sounds like another interesting script. Does anyone know where I can purchase a DVD in the states?

Annette Taddeo for US Congress 2008

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Monpirri says on Mar 16, 2007, 21:18:

Karmma, el peso de tus actos karmma


More info. see http://poorbuthappy.com/colombia/node/19513

Annette Taddeo for US Congress 2008

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Monpirri says on Mar 16, 2007, 21:28:

“CUANDO ROMPEN LAS OLAS� de Riccardo Gabrielli Plot summary for
Cuando rompen las olas (2006)

"In the old grandmother's case, a boy finds a forgotten photo album that reveals a secret. This will lead him, along with his brother, his grandmother and a young nurse, into an exceptional adventure that will touch their lives forever. Their goal: make a far away forgotten dream come true..." Written by Riccardo Gabrielli R.

Annette Taddeo for US Congress 2008

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Monpirri says on Mar 16, 2007, 21:31:

Cine Colombiano en ‘casa’ sally palomino c

Una historia en donde el amor, las aventuras y los sueños por cumplir son los protagonistas, convierten a la más reciente cinta nacional en una propuesta diferente, en donde las drogas y la violencia no hacen parte del libreto.

‘Cuando rompen las olas’, ópera prima del director colombiano Ricardo Gabrielli G. Ricca, llega a las salas de cine de la ciudad con el propósito de ratificar la calidad con que se están haciendo las producciones cinematográficas en el país y además mostrar otra temática posible de abordar en las películas nacionales.

‘Cuando rompen las olas’

Riccardo Gabrielli R.

Director

“Surgió cuando estaba fuera del país; todas las películas colombianas que veía tenían una gran carga de violencia y droga. Pensé entonces que era importante mostrar otras historias que también hacen parte de la realidad nacional. Así, ‘Cuando rompen las olas’ se convierte en una muestra de otra de las caras del país.

Además, me preocupé mucho por la parte estética, por lograr una buena fotografía y captar a través del lente el verdadero paisaje colombiano�.

El director

Riccardo Gabrielli R. nació en Alemania, de padre italiano y madre colombiana. Siempre se apasionó por las historias, las aventuras y el arte.

Estudió Dirección de Cine, Guión y actuación en la Universidad de California en Los �ngeles y cuenta con más de 20 cortometrajes que se vieron en diferentes circuitos de festivales.

¿Cuál es la historia?

Entre el baúl de su abuela, un niño encuentra un olvidado álbum de fotos que revelará el sueño secreto de ella. Este evento lo llevará a embarcarse, junto a su hermano, su abuela y una joven enfermera, en una alucinante aventura que marcará sus vidas para siempre. Su meta: hacer realidad un viejo sueño que duerme a cientos de kilómetros de distancia.

Una de las protagonistas

Mabel Moreno hace parte de los protagonistas de este film. Ella dice de su participación en ésta: �es la primera vez que hago cine y teniendo en cuenta la temática de la película, ha sido una de las mis más grandes experiencias�.

http://www.vanguardia.com/2006/12/2/gal.htm

Annette Taddeo for US Congress 2008

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goin_south says on Mar 18, 2007, 03:43:

Okay, something I don't understand, because it makes absolutely no sense: that ALMOST EVERY colombian I know, including my gf and others in Colombia, get VERY UPSET if you mention 'Mr & Mrs Smith', the movie, because of the violence at the start of the movie, supposedly in Bogota. Yet, here is another movie... KARMMA... and that short clip, monpirri, has Quite A bit of Violencia within.

So, why everyone gets upset with 'Mr & Mrs Smith' (what turns out, in fact, to be a really great movie! as movies go)???

What??? No Movies to do with Colombia? that have violence in them?? I never understood that. Like, as soon as I mentioned it, whatever it was, a year and a half ago, "I went with one of my kids to a movie".... Oh! Which one? .... "Oh, Mr Y Mrs Smith."

OOOOOHHHHHH! THAT IS A BAD MOVIE AND WE - ALL OF US!!! - IN COLOMBIA OBJECT! BECAUSE THERE IS VIOLENCE AT THE START, AND THAT IS NOT ANYTHING LIKE WHAT IS COLOMBIA!!!

Okay, gf, and all my other colombian friends. What's up?
Yet, here is someone posting a movie about Colombia and there seems to be at the end plenty of violence.

Hey! Get that off of here! That is a bad, bad movie! There is no violence in Locombia! ;)

Ciao! Gustav. Bienvenitos, Ike.

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Portena says on Mar 18, 2007, 11:13:

Is there a store in Bogota where you can buy most of these DVDs? Somewhere in North Bogota?

I feel better! I can smile at it now, I feel better. Ohhhh, better! Gnarls Barkley

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Azul says on Mar 18, 2007, 12:35:

Feliz....my Colombiana has absolutely no problem with Mr & Mrs Smith. Of course it probably has something to do with Brad Pitt. I don't mind though, Angelina Jolie is no Colombiana but I wouldn't kick her out of bed :-)

las cosas caen por su propio peso

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goin_south says on Mar 18, 2007, 13:16:

that's good, but... you know if I had posted an actual clip of mr and mrs smith here, it would get rave responses, right?

Ciao! Gustav. Bienvenitos, Ike.

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Simon says on Mar 18, 2007, 21:30:

"Okay, something I don't understand, because it makes
absolutely no sense: that ALMOST EVERY colombian I know, including my gf and others in Colombia, get VERY UPSET if you mention 'Mr & Mrs Smith', the movie, because of the violence at the start of the movie,"


Dude, you're not understanding why we get upset. It's not because of the violence, it's because of the ridiculous way Bogotá is portrayed!!
The filmakers make it seem like some backwards steamy hot village with bombs going off everywhere and full of mexicans. Have you ever been to Bogota? If you did, you'd know its not anything like that! And dumbass impressionable people will walk out of the movie theater thinking it really is that way!

HERE'S SIMON!!!!

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goin_south says on Mar 18, 2007, 23:34:

well Simon, I think the American (North! Of Course!) viewing public is quite abit more astute than what you are giving them credit for. So, maybe this whole thing is that COLOMBIANS ARE THE VASTLY IMPRESSIONABLE ONES...(many times when you accuse others of having a problem, it is in fact you yourself that has that very problem)... as has been said many times by others here on pbh... their (your) ideas of what America (North, of course!) is like, is far from real, because they (you) only get ideas from what is seen on television.

See, Simon. The American - north of course - viewing public is quite alot more sophisticated than what you give them credit for; they know that what they see on the Silver Screen is alot of hype and fluff, and fireworks, special effects and ... what's the word I'm looking for?...Sensationalism.

I don't go to so many movies much, myself. But, it is so much extreme in so many movies. Gringos are a little smarter than you give them credit for.

Or, it would have been the Colombian Honor Guard.... doing the frisking ;)

Ciao! Gustav. Bienvenitos, Ike.

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goin_south says on Mar 18, 2007, 23:48:

Americans just happen to know ...IT'S THE MOVIES!!!!! THERE IS A GOOD CHANCE....WHAT THEY SAW WAS.... NOT REAL.
THEY KNOW THAT....
what they saw was
Sensationalism.
The producers could have picked another city in another country;
They happened to pick Bogota, ... and you guys blow a nut over it.
Because you are a very sensitive, yet proud people
Because you live and work in a country that is one of extreme contrasts in so many ways.

Ciao! Gustav. Bienvenitos, Ike.

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Medellin Travel says on Mar 19, 2007, 07:32:

"El Carro" EL CARRO "The Car" is a quirky yet amusing film about a family living in Bogota. Their dreams & fantasies are metaphorically portrayed through their relationship to their car. My Colombian wife and I agree that this is one of few Colombian films that portrays something about ordinary life down here. It´s not sensationalist. You can buy it at Amazon. Enjoy.

www.medellin-travel-guide.com

www.medellin-travel-guide.com

Halliday says on Mar 19, 2007, 11:46:

Mi Abuelo, Mi Padre, y Yo I saw "My Grandfather, My Father, and I" While in Medellin a little over a year ago and thought it was very funny and moving. Speaking of which, does anyone know how I might buy it here in the USA?

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Portena says on Mar 19, 2007, 19:48:

Amazon.com has a lot of DVDs, but not many that have been mentioned here. That's why I asked where these could be purchased in Bogota.

I feel better! I can smile at it now, I feel better. Ohhhh, better! Gnarls Barkley

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rocinante says on Mar 19, 2007, 21:23:

I agree with Simon La Virgen de los Sicarios and Vendedora de Rosas are hated by most Colombianos - living in Colombia. I myself thought Vendedora was somewhat OK because it "showed me a side" and at least the main character had hope in the apiritions of her mother, but basically speaking those movies are crap and the only reason Virgen won awards is because the director (Who directed Barfly and some other successful US movie) had a reputation and dared to shoot a film in Colombia about Colombia. Also he approached the taboo homosexual aspect which occurs between the main characters. So all the indy film judges (named Bruce and Serge) voted thumbs up. You know those movie types....

"...I think the American (North! Of Course!)
viewing public is quite abit more astute than what you are giving them credit for....The American - north of course - viewing public is quite alot more sophisticated than what you give them credit for; they know that what they see on the Silver Screen is alot of hype and fluff, and fireworks, special effects and ... what's the word I'm looking for?...Sensationalism." el felizafortunado I don't have the time to look you up and I don't care to attack someone without doing that first but you, sir, are an ass. I don't know where you're from but it must be fantasy land. Most Americans(North! Of Course!)have no clue where Colombia is on the map. They think South America is a country and Colombia is a state. They think that all Latinos in South America eat Tacos and Spicy burritos. The only thing Americans (North! Of Course!)know about Colombia is what is in the movies and on TV. This is EVERY conversation with American friends (North! Of Course! - NYC, Chicago, Boston Philly and Windsor Ontario, near Detroit) had by me in America(North! Of Course!):

me: "I moved/am moving to South America."
them: "Oh, I didn't think you liked Chimi Changas and all that spicy Mexican food.
me: "I don't the food is different there."
them: "Oh"
me:(after a long pause it's apparent that they think South America is a country - if I would have said 'I'm moving to Europe' they would have replied, 'Oh really? What country?'), So I say "I'm moving to Colombia."
them: "Colombia? Isn’t that Central America? That's where all the drug lords are and the cartels. Are you going to be a drug dealer?..."

felizafortunado, maybe you live in California where people are only into themselves, and when you mention Colombia they ask if you like their car.

In America (North! Of Course!) go into a bar or into work or wherever you go and ask a random person what they know about Colombia and all you will here is crap about cocaine cartels and murders. Or silence because they have no idea.

ConnorC rent “Sueños No Cuestan Nada�. It’s fun and light and a good film that Colombians in Colombia enjoyed immensely. They are very proud of that movie. And its lightheartedness offered an escape from the daily grind of a very hardworking people. I could expand as to why this movie was so successful but....It was released on Aug 11th or 16th in CO and was still playing over Halloween.

"World economic indicators point to a democrat winning 2008. It will surely be Obama. Peso 1400 by November" Feb 5, 2008

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goin_south says on Mar 19, 2007, 22:51:

rocinante.... I don't know. Maybe you had or hung out with: stupid people.
So, you can kiss mine. But, after 'checking', I don't think I'd let you near me.

Better yet, go kiss Simple S.
You 2 make a good pair.
y, buenas noches.

Even my teenagers, and before they were that old, knew and know the differnence between sensationalism and reality.
The people where I live know how to laugh at themselves, and they are always interested and open to learning what they think they might not know; not a bunch of nose-n-de-air new yorkers.

Ciao! Gustav. Bienvenitos, Ike.

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toneloc24 says on Mar 20, 2007, 07:33:

El Carro If you're interested in normal Colombian life and relations, not the sensationalistic aspects, I'd highly recommend this film. Not sure if there are English subtitles or not, but a pretty hilarious movie.

"Don't tase me, bro!!!!"

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Simon says on Mar 20, 2007, 09:34:

Rocinante, Man, you hit Rocinante,

Man, you hit the nail on the head, thanks! I also don't know which "American viewing public" this guy is talking about!


Another movie I recommend is 'Te Busco'. It's about a guy who tries to form a tropical music band just to impress a girl. It spotlights normal, everyday Colombians and not the scum of Colombian society. It's also pretty funny!

HERE'S SIMON!!!!

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kat1 (Moderator) says on Mar 20, 2007, 09:36:

someone told me La estrategia del caracol was good I haven't seen it yet.

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rocinante says on Mar 21, 2007, 15:59:

Columbia for Dummies el felizafortunado, not only does the whole fokin' world think Colombia is nothing but drug lords and guerillas, but 98% of them can't even spell Colombia. "Even my teenagers, and before they were that old, knew and know the differnence between sensationalism and reality."el felizafortunado So when your teenagers saw "Vendedora de Rosas" they thought it was sensationalism?

Anyway, this is not about sensationalism vs. reality. Vendedora is a very accurate film depicting a harsh reality that is/was very true. There is no sensationalism in that film in regards to the way Colombia was depicted - nor in 'La virgen de los Sicarios'

The problems that Colombians have with these movies is that they do nothing to demonstrate the positive side of Colombia.

The whole world has a tremendously negative view of Colombia because the way Colombia is portrayed in the media - all media.

How would your teenager, or someone fairly intelligent and educated know that a movie about life in South Africa is sensationalism or reality, if they had never been there? When the mass majority sees the media for years depicting something alien and that mass majority has never been exposed to that alien thing, the mass majority accepts what they have been told, as there is no other exposure or point of reference.

Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe your teenagers hopped in a time machine to 1995 and booked a flight to Medellín after seeing 'La Virgen de los Sicarios' and found out that the whole movie was nothing but sensationalism.

"World economic indicators point to a democrat winning 2008. It will surely be Obama. Peso 1400 by November" Feb 5, 2008

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rocinante says on Mar 21, 2007, 16:24:

Sensationalism vs Reality Speaking of Sensationalim vs. Reality, do your teenagers think the whole "Dad has a girlfriend he met on the web/whorehouse who is half his age and they don't speak the same language and she's not allowed in this country and they've only met a few times but are talking about getting married" is realty or sensationalism? Must be Fantasyland.

"World economic indicators point to a democrat winning 2008. It will surely be Obama. Peso 1400 by November" Feb 5, 2008

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Monpirri says on Mar 21, 2007, 19:26:

Who's fault it it? Really guys, whose fault is it that Hollywood and other country are infatuated showing negatives movies about Colombia?

For instance, let's look at the movies that we have posted here on a Colombian site, it appears that there are more negative than positive movies. Yep, as soon as Simon noticed it, (the fourth reply) he tried to fix the trend.

If Colombians would start producing great films as good or better than the novelas than we would have another positive side on Colombian image. If Colombians would get together and start defending the only positive thing that they have right now, than we would continue to enjoy the positive images that we have been producing for the small tube. Whose fault is it?
Why do we see more negative stuff than positive about Colombia on PBH sometimes?
Well, some Colombians claimed on PBH that they post negative crap because they saw it on an “X� newspaper or because blah, blah. Whose fault is it?

Annette Taddeo for US Congress 2008

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rocinante says on Mar 22, 2007, 06:09:

it's their fault but they have no choice Monpirri1 - Side-shifting a bit, also in the mix of the sensationalism vs reality topic are Hollywood films such as "Mr and Mrs Smith" and although not mentioned "Romancing the Stone", "Blow" and others we all know. I would like to address Hollywood and the masses first:

When the coke epidemic hit full swing in the US back in the early 80s the politicians "said NO to Drugs" and the chosen scapegoat was Colombia and her Drug Cartels, Violence and Pablo. They were in the news constantly - probably because not much was going on - or the US was gearing up aid in a fight to protect our oil interestes there.

Colombia has this bad reputaion for Drugs and Violence mostly earned but also magnified and shoved down our throats by the media back in the 80s. Unfortunately it still continues today and Colombia is still the scapegoat as the politicians need to justify Plan Colombia which is nothing more than a smoke screen for protecting Occidental's pipeline and getting in good with the pols in CO in order to drill at the Venezuela Border. Out of all the billions that the US gives away in aid, CO is #3 in the list. I'll footnote that later.

The "fault" doesn't matter as much as the solution. Unfortunately when Hollwood needs to put out a film involving drugs lord off shore they always have a perfect setting in Colombia. Sure Hawaii would work but the film would have to waste valuable time building up this 'Unknown' dangerous drug underworld of Hawaii. Why? Because it doesn't exist. All Hollywood has to do is show a caption "Bogotá" under a scene that opens with a dirt prairie and tumbleweeds and the mass viewer already conjurs up "Drug Lords, Violence, Pablo". The stage is set and there is no doubt in the eyes of the mass public that there is "bad stuff" coming.

En pocas palabaras Dennis Hopper will alwyas be the villan. The general public that Hollywood caters to has no need to see "Normal" Colombia. There are enough normal "sets" and locatiions to stage that.

This has been the fault in my opinion and the solution from a Hollywood standpoint is years away.

OK, back to the main topic - Colombian Films and who's fault is it. I totally understand your point, mon, and yes it is the fault of the Colombian filmmakers. And I agree with Simon's 4th post that many Colombian filmmakers are respecting the Hollywood "trend" and probably throwing their country under bus to tarnish or make some bucks. (Please note that the Producer of "Virgen de Sicarios" is German.)

So by putting everything together in this post the Colombian Filmmakers ARE at fault for perpetuating the problem. But unfortunately their job is to make a successful film that is going to sell and get that filmmaker to the next level. In order to do that he has to sell a lot of movie tickets, in order to do that he feels he has to give in and portray Colombia the way the masses have in their heads about Colombia. If he is going to make a movie depicting great life and relationships or some romance/drama in Colombia, the only ticket buyers will be Colombians.

It's not the job of the filmmaker to be an ambassador. Honestly, pretty much all the Colombian films (made by, or filmed in, and about Colombia) mentioned in this thread contain Drugs and Violence even my highly touted "Sueños no Cuestan Nada" is guilty. However it's done in a way that is not a slap in the face like Virgen and Vendedora.

"World economic indicators point to a democrat winning 2008. It will surely be Obama. Peso 1400 by November" Feb 5, 2008

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Portena says on Mar 23, 2007, 21:12:

Ok - I gotta ask... When does the telenovela Sin Tetas no hay Paraiso come on? What night? What time? What channel?

I feel better! I can smile at it now, I feel better. Ohhhh, better! Gnarls Barkley

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goin_south says on Mar 24, 2007, 02:32:

rocinante good points, in your first part there. But, if I remember right, the whole of the film, Mr and Mrs Smith... was quite a sensational film.

your second flip... Sens vs Real....good question, but.....
WHO CARES?
and, why do you?

Ciao! Gustav. Bienvenitos, Ike.

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goin_south says on Mar 24, 2007, 02:43:

is the web....Your Whorehouse? rocinante or, is it that.. you go to a real one?

Personally, my gf isn't half my age;
were pretty close
(She's 81 per cent of my age)
My teens think it's pretty cool, .... Colombia!
And, that I am learning a foreign language
(Something they also 'HAVE TO' do.)
They know it's...a long term relationship.
That's good.
A commitment.
Something that speaks of stability.

Tomorrowland.
Keep reading PBH;
I'll let ya know when it turns into:
Virtual Reality.

And, thanks for caring....;)

Ciao! Gustav. Bienvenitos, Ike.

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rocinante says on Mar 27, 2007, 09:49:

Negative portrayal != sensationalism "good points, in your first part there. But, if I remember right, the whole of the film, Mr and Mrs Smith... was quite a sensational film."-el felizafortunadoWho cares about the "the whole of the film, Mr and Mrs Smith... was quite a sensational film". The point is how Colombia was negativley portrayed and your post titled "Okay, something I don't understand, because it makes..." where you're baffled by why Colombians don't like that film.

After having it explained your response was that even your teenage kids realize that it's all sensationalism [the negative portrayal of Colombia? - which is the entire point of everything?].

The fact that in that movie where someone jumps a motorcycle off a skyscraper and latches on to a hovering helicopter as the bomb on motor cycle explodes in mid air is of course sensationalism. I applaud your kids who are genuises for realizing that, yes, that scene was sensatioanlism.

But the point is your kids and the rest of the masses have no idea about Colombia - just the negativity of what they hear on the news and see in films.

Again I ask you to ask the regular Joe on the Street what they know about Colombia and you will get Drug Lords, Murder, tacos mud huts and the usual.

I had this happen 6 times out in in the city of Chicago this weekend.

"World economic indicators point to a democrat winning 2008. It will surely be Obama. Peso 1400 by November" Feb 5, 2008

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rocinante says on Mar 27, 2007, 10:03:

what me care? "And, thanks for caring....;) -el felizafortunado" She's 81% of your age? Really? I would have guessed 74.3 but... Tell me her weight is the square root of your weight - I bet it is and the ammount of kids she has is greater than the earth's resonance frequency (converted from time).

I honestly don't care - really - BUT I am tremendously, tremendously FASCINATED and entertained by you and guys like you - just like I am entertained by Buggs Bunny - I don't really care about Buggs Bunny.

There are millions of single beautiful American women from all cultures living on the good 'ol US of A. If Latinas are your thing there are millions of them here in the US. Why can't you get your dream girl in the US?

Why go though this tremendous long distance process just to get a girl? Chicago and Texas are much closer to the Bayou than Colombia and the girls that live in the US, well, they live in the US.

The answer to that question and the way you (all) dress it up, although obvious, is an endless source of endless fascination and entertainment, for me.

"World economic indicators point to a democrat winning 2008. It will surely be Obama. Peso 1400 by November" Feb 5, 2008

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Monpirri says on Apr 7, 2007, 12:37:

www.IMDB.www Where to buy Colombian movies?

http://www.imdb.com/find?s=all&q=colombian.htm

Annette Taddeo for US Congress 2008

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Monpirri says on Apr 7, 2007, 13:31:

You can also buy at IMDB great soap operas...
"Sin tetas no hay paraíso" (2006)
"Café con aroma de mujer" (1994)TV-Series
"Costeña y el Cachaco, La" (2003)TV-Series
"Pedro el escamoso" (2001)
"Escalona" (1992)

Annette Taddeo for US Congress 2008

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