Maria llena eres de Gracias

miamimike says on Dec 28, 2004, 09:04:

Maria Todavia no lo vi y ahora no esta in Miami pero en el futro voy a verlo. Lo parece intersante.

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RolaParaTodaLaVida says on Dec 28, 2004, 09:24:

que mejore colombia la pelicula fue buen echa...triste y muy real.
Economicamente se nota la razon por que hay personas que toman los riesgos para mejorarla la vida. Colombia es bella y puede seguir adelante. El govierno tiene que ser el primero de mejorar.

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elmodefoque says on Dec 28, 2004, 09:37:

rola, mi sentimientos exacto! los ricos detestan que uno haga lo que sea para echar alante. el govierno colombiano y esa mentalidad elitista mantiene colombia pobre con su maldito "estrato" . me cago en todos ellos! nojoda!!!
une preguntica, existe esa palabra "elitista" oh es algo que yo invente! nojoda, mi español es de calle.

PROUD ENEMY OF THE RIGHT WING!!!!!! THANK YOU!

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Miguel says on Dec 28, 2004, 22:09:

La pelicula Fue magnifico! La me gusto mucho; hecho en Ecuator porque la empresa de cine no puede comprar seguros en Colombia.

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Alidad says on Dec 31, 2004, 07:08:

Good film.. I saw that film, very good, but it presented Colombia as a place where for most people, there is no hope, which is why they will turn to almost anything to make money or leave.. that was the impression left by the film, and I hope it's not true. It made the drug dealers look so polite and distinguished..

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ColombianoX says on Dec 31, 2004, 09:34:

ANOTHER ANTI-COLOMBIAN FILM "but it presented Colombia as a place where for most people, there is no hope,"

This is one of the reasons I didn't like this movie. I am oppossed to any movie that portrays colombians in a negative light, and that is exactly what this film does. Once again I ask, can't they ever make a movie that doesn't portray the colombian people as drug traffickers, guerrillas, sicarios, etc.? It's about time movies showed how the other 99% of colombians are like: happy, friendly, and hard-working people who love Colombia and dream with making her a better place to live.

ColombianoX

'Defensor de la Colombianidad'

ColombianoX 'Defensor de la Colombianidad'

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toneloc24 says on Dec 31, 2004, 11:53:

Rose-tinted glasses??? Can either of you admit that just maybe there is plenty of truth in this movie? They did not make much of the stuff up. Should they bury it, like it doesn't exist? There should be more positive Colombian films, but I'm hard-pressed to find many, at least recent movies.

There are people in many cultures that make bad choices for the pursuit of money. This is just an interesting aspect of what some Colombians have reverted to, something Americans are largely unaware of. There are many American movies that show people selling out for money, from Wall Street to Studio 54, the many of the gangster flicks.

They did show Maria working in the rose plantation. Not positive enough? She did have an asshole for a boss. Who doesn't or hasn't? Does that mean you should quit? In HER town, that was a great job, as her mother said. And she was intending on going to Bogota to find work, just this option came along, and many 17 yrs would think seriously about it, in Colombia and in the USA.

It's about a choice that spirals out of control, as her best friend gets caught up in it (being nosy), and her friend pays the price for such a dangerous choice. All in the pursuit of money. In the end, her character shines through as she decides to do honorable things, such as use her money to assist Lucy's family, and take the advice of Lucy's sister regarding returning to Colombia in order to raise her baby. She will also be in a position (although still illegal) to help her family back in Colombia.

The media would have you believe that all drug dealers are ruthless and senseless. That does exist, but there are many who might live in your neighborhood, right next to you, who work regular professions. Some are politicians or "businessmen." They are quiet and unnoticeable in that regard, but they exist. Some can be similar to the pharmacist who does his little part to further along the process. Some can be like Javier, who is kind but not one to be crossed. Don't be so foolish as to believe everyone in power is honorable, and that all drug dealers should be portrayed as ruthless. That's not a truthful assessment of the dilemna. The cocaine/drug business would never get this far without own legitimate assistance.

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

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Miguel says on Jan 1, 2005, 05:34:

OK Siskel and Whoever Point is Catalina Sandino Moreno has grabbed honors and world recognition for her role as Maria.

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toneloc24 says on Jan 1, 2005, 17:54:

And well-deserved as a previously amateur actress.

What about the actress that played Lucy??? She kept my attention on the screen.

One other question: anyone know the name of the merengue song that was playing as Maria and Franklin were driving to Bogota from her town the 1st time? It was also playing when they stopped at the roadside juice spot. It's pretty popular, but just trying to find out the name and the artist.

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

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RolaParaTodaLaVida says on Jan 1, 2005, 18:33:

Truth hurts The “image” of our beloved Colombia hurts.
There are many Colombians that make all this illegal business continue. The U.S and many other countries contribute to the drug world but of course in any movie they have to mention Colombia as the "bad" country, to make the movie more edgy.

And they are the ones that make the hard working and beautiful people of Colombia face all sorts of stereotypes and obstacles. There is so much to the country but we need positive people to bring it out! Recently we have Carlos Vives, Shakira as a few that have brought a new point of view to Colombia and its people.

But in regards to this movie...I saw hard honest people being influenced to make quick money. Young Maria made her mistakes and probably mistakes that many will agree are not far fetched. I agree the movie industry should bring positive movies that involve Colombia and Latinos in general to the main stream.
I am looking forward to that moment.

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RolaParaTodaLaVida says on Jan 1, 2005, 18:43:

Official website http://www.mariallenaeresdegracia.com/main.html

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Miguel says on Jan 1, 2005, 20:47:

Couple of things First of all to Tone; no lo se la cancion tampoco. Y tienes razon de Lucy; que intensa. (y bonita!) Another thing that pisses me off is that about half of the reviews I read about the movie refer to her smuggling cocaina when actually it was la heroina. Y Rola, de aquerdo contigo de Carlos y Shakira, pero Juanes tambien. El es magnifico.

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RolaParaTodaLaVida says on Jan 2, 2005, 14:36:

juanes es super! del momento que escuche su musica...no savia nada de el...perso estava segura que era Colombiano!

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elmodefoque says on Jan 3, 2005, 11:45:

Tone, Miguel, that song is Colombia’s poor, national anthem. Is called “EL PRISIONERO” by Fruko

PROUD ENEMY OF THE RIGHT WING!!!!!! THANK YOU!

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toneloc24 says on Jan 3, 2005, 14:19:

Elmo-

I have no idea where Fruko is from, but they were singing the hell out of that song while I was in the DR...like it was their poor, national anthem.

You already know, I got you for a few shots of aguardiente at Carnaval, chased by ice-cold aguilas!!!

Thx bud

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

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Miguel says on Jan 4, 2005, 02:11:

Fruko y Sus Tesos 100% colombiano; perhaps Cali? I know they had that Arroyo guy for a front man, who is from Cartagena. Great salsa, IMHO.

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elmodefoque says on Jan 4, 2005, 05:23:

Miguel, Tone, surprisingly, Fruko is from Medellin, a freaking cachaco! who knew they had any rhythm. Tone, you're right, I believe that song “El Prisionero” has become the national anthem not only for Colombian poor but all Latin poor. I think Arroyo is from Barranquilla, he lives in a neighborhood near la calle 72 por El Tanque de la Delicias, a couple blocks away from my uncle. I always bump into him at “Los Primos” a place where they sell all kinds of jugos and frituras. He drives a new Volkswagen Beetle. The guy loves the hell outta barranquill and will not live any where else.
I talked to my nephew, he told me that Barranquilla is ready to blast off with El Carnaval 2005, dique esta de putas! the winds are blowing, the weather is great and that you find everybody in Puerto Colombian and Salgar beach all weekend and evenings en la calle 76, rumbiando. He also told me that I’m going to see some cachacos roaming the streets. They’re in Barranquilla escaping the violence from Bogota, Medellin, Cali, Pasto etc. Barranquilla authority is trying to round them up to send them back to cachacolandia.

PROUD ENEMY OF THE RIGHT WING!!!!!! THANK YOU!

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ElViajero says on Jan 10, 2005, 04:11:

A COLOMBIAN PICTURE IN STATISTICS

Let us see a moment a picture of our country in statistics. There are around 41.5 million persons living in the national territory (from Leticia to San Andres), included foreigner residents and excluded Colombians who live outside. From all these men and women 64% live in poverty. The literacy in Colombia (for men and women) is 91.3%. Infant mortality is 19% (in 1,000 births). 7% of Colombian children have malnutrition. 91% of Colombians have an improved water source. 55.27% of Colombian families have their own house. In a population of 38.248 men and women from around the country 14,725 are employed, 1,577 unemployed and 12,607 inactive. 1’106,499 Colombians belong to ethnic groups. 493,160 Colombians are black. In general: 10% black Col… 1% indios Col… 20% white Col… 73% mestizos and a small minorities integrated in the Colombian population are Arabs, Chinese, Jews and others.

If you gather 100 Colombians that represent our national reality:

A Colombian is indio.
Ten Colombians are black people.
20 Colombians are white people.
74 Colombians are mestizos.
60 Colombians are under 24 years old.
64 Colombians live under poverty.
40 Colombians have a job.
91 Colombians have a good literacy.
99 Colombians say that they are Roman Catholic confession.

Likely, the indio and the ten black Colombians live under poverty. The same for the majority of the mestizos.

Then, a film on Colombia reality is really difficult to make. It is very embarrassing and sad when someone try to stress that reality, maybe like business. For example it is not hidden that the international mass media isn’t interested in show from Colombia good news, but anything that remarks the bad international image and reputation of our country. Just a detail: when a reporter to an international mass media makes any inform from Colombia, he or she should use always terrible backgrounds, and not those of an urban Colombia as they use when they do any inform from London of NY, for example.

The other side is if we desire to show to the world only the good things. What can we show so? The happy 36% of middle and high class Colombians? The 40% of Colombians that have a job? The rich areas of our country where there is not political problems, where the people live better than in France? The international hotels with tranquil views where everything happen at its time? Should we show a Colombia as a First World country? Sure, we can do so… we can show Barrio Kennedy only, El Poblado, Cali South, San Andres beaches, El Rodadero, la Zona Cafetera and Bocagrande… but… what with the others?

I think the best is recognizing that we have a social and political problem and that we have a lot of excellent values. The great lights of our country, the ones that causes to be proud of Colombia, are the things that give us hope and courage to continue working, and the ones which we need to improve … not in the benefit of some Colombians, but of every single person that lives inside the Colombian territory. That a boy or a girl of the Paez culture in Cauca would have the same opportunities in our country that a boy or a girl from Barrio Kennedy.

These kinds of movies like “Maria plena de gracia” can be disgusting, but it helps us to understand that we must keep walking through a best society. This is our utopia and our really pride as Colombians. Colombia was not built in a year. It has a long history of men and women that have contribute to built that utopia: the dream to have a great country in the heart of the American continent.

El Viajero Paisa

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ColombianoX says on Jan 10, 2005, 09:41:

Muy bueno tu comentario, Paisa Viajero! These bigoted foreign moviemakers are only interested in the sufferring and violence so they can sell their movies. It's up to us colombians to start depicting the Colombia we know and love on film.





"He also told me that I’m going to see some cachacos roaming the streets. They’re in Barranquilla escaping the violence from Bogota, Medellin, Cali, Pasto etc. Barranquilla authority is trying to round them up to send them back to cachacolandia."

Elmo,

I suggest you stop making such ignorant, self-racist comments! These hateful comments only help to increase the division that is keeping Colombia down. Think about it.

ColombianoX

'Defensor de la Colombianidad'

ColombianoX 'Defensor de la Colombianidad'

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Miguel says on Jan 10, 2005, 10:07:

Basta! It's a movie and this actress has grabbed the attention of the world for her performance. In "Maria", the violence happens in Nueva York and not in Colombia. It is a story about a hard working colombiana that has a chance to bug out of the dugout, get away from a hard and dull lifestyle to make almost 12 million pesos. I don't see it as an anti-Colombian story at all. Solo mi opinion.

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toneloc24 says on Jan 10, 2005, 13:54:

You're not alone Miguel Very well done MOVIE. Hopefully, it exposes Colombia as a new area where other positive reality-based movies can be shown. There are many stories to be told, but someone Colombian should be writing them and pitching them. Maria Llenas eres de Gracias provides an opportunity for that follow-up.

It wasn't an anti-Colombian movie. Just showing a real aspect of life there, and some of its consequences, good and bad. People seem to look at the world through rose-tinted glasses, ss if these types of things do not often happen. Unfortunately, Colombia is a major source of drugs to the USA.

ColombianoX reminds me of that Italian society based in New Jersey who were suing HBO on grounds that the Sopranos portrayed Italians in a bad light. The mafia does exist, but it doesn't represent ALL Italians. In no way does this movie pretend to represent ALL Colombians.

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

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toneloc24 says on Jan 10, 2005, 13:55:

One more thing, Miguel I wonder if I'll be able to find that Lucy chica, or a spot-on lookalike, during Carnaval. LOL!!!

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

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miamimike says on Jan 10, 2005, 20:47:

The USA Society tempted Maria to do it !! We here in the USA are not without blame.We are the # 1 consumer nation and if these conditions did not exist poor folks like Maria would not be tempted to engage in such activity. Colombia Cocaine exists because the US apetite demands it.

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ColombianoX says on Jan 10, 2005, 21:01:

miamimike,


I concur 100%! It's about time the consumers picked up some of the blame.


Saludes,

CX

ColombianoX 'Defensor de la Colombianidad'

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toneloc24 says on Jan 11, 2005, 07:10:

I also concur. We are to blame with our forceful economy. With the good comes the bad. This definitely is not just limited to Colombia.

Television is one big BS billboard for many around the world showing only the riches of the USA, doesn't bother hinting about what is done to acquire those riches. Therefore, many believe that every American is rich and that money grows on trees here.

For the opportunity to come here and be a part of that, people will do anything. Then, we blame the victims. It's the American way.

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

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Alidad says on Jan 11, 2005, 11:28:

I too agree Yes, there´s a big problem when people in NYC or London consider cocaine-consumption a sign of success and affluence. A few months ago a young man, a perfect twit, was saying that he had come from a party in Mayfair, where a generous banker had provided guests with ample supplies of cocaine (in a bowl I think he said, is that possible?). Another prize idiot told me last year that a party´s no party without cocaine. Another party I went to, two years ago, had the boring people nattering and munching crisps downstairs (I was talking to a vegetarian masseuse), and the hip crowd upstairs snorting and fornicating. These idiots send cash to the narcotraficantes then presume to opine on Third World development, or march to tell the Bush administration not to wage war on terrorism. Sorry, the B word. But the film was good, yes, without the rollicking adventures of La Virgen de los Sicarios (which isn´t about drugs of course, but the ephemeral nature of happiness).

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Lionheart says on Jan 11, 2005, 12:51:

US hypocrits This has happened to me many times: Situation... I am visiting "friends" or co-workers.

"We don't smoke in the house / we don't smoke"
"We don't have alcohol in the house, the children could see it and become alcoholics"
"Alcohol is evil ... are you an alcoholic?"

Then they proceed to haul out a pipe/bong or roll a joint and take some hits ... if possible while the children are running around. Or they snort some coke ....

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Miguel says on Jan 13, 2005, 01:41:

Good points, Everyone The film speaks for itself, and I hope others make it a point to see Señorita Sandino's performance.

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vanwely says on Jan 14, 2005, 10:29:

In todays USA TODAY Actresses who are deserving nominations for an OSCAR.

Catalina Sandino Moreno:

Playing a desperate Colombian drug runner, Moreno delivers a beautiful, radian, heartbreaking performance. Says US WEEKLY movie editor BJ Sigiesmund "She's so good you cant believe its acting. She made you fell like you were watching a documentary"




Colombia - Tierra Querida

Colombia - Tierra Querida

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