Please send a protest note to National Geographic

Mr. Hollywood says on Mar 12, 2005, 10:22:

which, of course "I bet that journalist never visited Medellin"

Which, of course, explains the photographs, observations and quotes from real people.

Look, it's okay to object to the way your city was portrayed, but you don't help you case by making an even more ridiculous mischaracterization.

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ColombianoX says on Mar 12, 2005, 10:30:

Paisa29,

That's a good idea, I was going to say the same thing. I'm glad to see that there's so many medellinenses, colombians, and even non-colombians writing to express their outrage over this article. By standing up and protesting these slanderous pieces, those so-called reporters will hopefully think it twice the next time they want to show such biased crap about our cities and our country.

IT'S TIME TO STICK UP FOR MEDELLIN, AND FOR COLOMBIA IN GENERAL!!!!


ColombianoX

'Defensor de la Colombianidad'

ColombianoX 'Defensor de la Colombianidad'

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utopiacowboy says on Mar 12, 2005, 11:53:

It never ceases to amaze me that there is always more indignation and outrage about magazine articles like this than about the reality of Medellin and Colombia. Which probably goes a long way to explain why Colombia is the mess that it is. Let's not do anything about the poverty, the violence, the drug-based economy - let's just whine when somebody has the nerve to mention them. At least the mayor presented some facts to show that the number of homicides has declined recently although it is still quite high.

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

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juanalejo says on Mar 13, 2005, 07:50:

It never ceases to amaze me that some people simply do not understand the economic implications of bad reputation, and how biased non objective information about a country like Colombia, harms precisely the poor people in such article by keeping away the much needed investment of foreign capital.

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ColombianoX says on Mar 13, 2005, 08:14:

utopiacowboy,

Who says we don't feel indignation and outrage over Colombia's reality? Those of us who live outside of Colombia do our best to fight that poverty by sending money to our relatives, investing in Colombia and by visiting the country and spending there. What else can we do, tell me?

And for us colombians who live in "el exterior", Colombia's image affects us very much! Why the hell should it bother you to see us stick up for our country's image?


ColombianoX

'Defensor de la Colombianidad'

ColombianoX 'Defensor de la Colombianidad'

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santiBOG says on Mar 13, 2005, 08:39:

I'm with UC... this is kind of like that time when Letterman made a joke about Miss Colombia. The outrage... how dare anyone make a joke about our country????

The article on NG is unfortunate, there's no question about that. But let's focus on solving the CAUSES of our main problems. What foreigners think about our country is not one of them.

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platano says on Mar 13, 2005, 08:40:

Send a note to Victor Gaviria, too! It doesn't help when a cineasta colombiano like Victor Gaviria makes movies about Colombia but instead of focusing on all that is beautiful in Medellin, he focuses on what everybody else blindly and unjustly focuses on: Colombia=Drugs

NOT! I must protest this "con todo corazón"!

Medellín is the city of under the stars, outdoor in the plaza, all night long international poetry festivals. The city that produces more poetry than any other city in Colombia (including Bogotá). The city of singing poets, with a mental agility not easily found elsewhere, los trovadores ("Trove, trove, compañero!), the city of tertulias for discussion of universal literature, of alternative cine, Medellin the city of major authors, founders of literary streams, Medellin the home of the "festival de mentirosos", Medellin a city with millions of the most beautiful people on the planet, los paises hermosos, Medellin a city with proud traditions, solid values, hospitality and sweetness oozing from all parts, a city that has hardworking intelligent people, Medellin a city with ecological consciousness, Medellin a city with a flourishing culture of and openness to non-western spirituality, Medellin the first city in Colombia to have a metro, Medellin the city that celebrates with FLOWERS every August, Medellin with opera, art museums, a beautiful "people-friendly" downtown, Medellin with parks and culture, Medellin with several types of arepas (todas deliciosas!), Medellin vibrant with millions of stories of love to be told, Medellin whose best asset are the paisas and their creativity and passion....

And all Gaviria can focus on is a small minority who got involved with drugs? It is an insult to a population of Colombia that has a great sense of humor (República Indepediente de Antioquia, Testamento Paisa, etc.) but should not have to put up with crap like the National Geographic article or the Victor Gaviria movie.

Write articles and make movies about the bizzillion good things about Medellin!

EYYY, AVE MARIA PUES HOMBRE!!! Like, this is just not fair to paisas!

He dicho,

Plátano

P.D. Amo a los paisas y creo que la ciudad de eterna primavera tiene el mejor clima del mundo (meterologicamente, culturalmente, afectivamente, etc.)

plátano

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Mr. Hollywood says on Mar 13, 2005, 08:58:

I like Plantano's suggestion "Write articles and make movies about the bizzillion good things about Medellin!"

I think that's a great idea. Always better to take positive action than to spend all your energy attacking someone else's work.

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toneloc24 says on Mar 13, 2005, 09:10:

I completely agree that there is now another opportunity to do a better job of promoting the positives of Colombia as well. There is, without a doubt, an underlying reality that exists in Colombia, and those stories must be told also.

However, if Colombians aren't doing a very good job of showing other aspects of Colombia, i.e. through positive movies, positive mainstream articles, how can you bitch when someone writes anything? There's nothing else to compare this article against.

I have to believe that there are Colombian filmmakers and mainstream journalists. Where are they? Where are the positive stories? Where are the investors in these projects? The change in perception must start with Colombians. The rest of the world knows very little about Colombia. Is this not an opportunity?

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

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platano says on Mar 13, 2005, 09:13:

Toneloc, I apologize... if it seemed I was bitching.

I thought I was writing a love letter to paisalandia.

Con amor,

Plátano

plátano

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Crazy4Cali says on Mar 13, 2005, 09:48:

Cineastas... Plátano expressed outrage by saying, "It doesn't help when a cineasta colombiano like Victor Gaviria makes movies about Colombia but instead of focusing on all that is beautiful in Medellin, he focuses on what everybody else blindly and unjustly focuses on: Colombia=Drugs"

1st. I've said it before and I'll say it again. Filmmakers (and magazine publishers) make films (magazines) to make money (or garner attention, fame, etc.) Fiction filmmakers (and, unfortunately, some self-proclaimed documentarians) have no obligation to present "the" truth, "your" truth or any other "truth." Thier obligation is simply to tell a good story.

2nd. The latino film market gobbles up movies about drugs, gangs and violence. That isn't a social statement, just a marketing statement.

If that disturbs you, then fight fire with fire...make happy films about life in Colombia. When those films break break box-office records, then you'll see hundreds of them. (don't hold your breath waiting, though).

Could it be done? sure... Will it be done? sure, just as soon as you can convince producers (who love to make a profit) that a happy Colombian love-story or travel film will make as much money as an action-packed drug and gang film. (and if you can pitch that successfully, you could probably sell freezers to Eskimos!)

Bottom line: Bad news sells more papers/magazines/advertising spots/movie tickets than good news. The question is, does that mean the media is bad for producing it or the viewers are bad for demanding it? (Ironically, this same argument has been applied to illegal drugs...The consumers say, "If they quit producing them, the people won't buy it" while the producers say "If they quit buying it, we would quit making it.")

Movie producers are constantly confounded by the notion that many in the audience treat fiction films as truth. The universal response by producers is... "Geez, it is only a movie!" The same audience viewers probably believe in the Grinch, just because they read about one in a book.

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platano says on Mar 13, 2005, 10:06:

The Grinch Thanks for the reminder about movies and books about the Grinch!

This is a marketing opporunity for Colombia. How about a scary movie about the Madre Monte?

Seriously, you are right that this is market-driven. And I continue to think an opportunity exists for different kinds of stories. Unforntunately I am not an author or cineasta....

Thanks for the reality check. I visit reality now and then but prefer my world.

Plátano

plátano

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Mar 13, 2005, 10:44:

Madre monte, platano? Is that the monster that ate up Arturo Cova?
Cheers,
Desi

"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."-President George W. Bush

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platano says on Mar 13, 2005, 11:27:

Desi,
I wouldn't put it past her!

Vale!

Plátano

plátano

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fzrdan says on Mar 13, 2005, 11:33:

paisa29 I am not against you sending notes of protest to National Geographic but I have a feeling it will not change anything.

I think a better option would be for you, or someone else, to write a good story about Medellin. Or about any part of Colombia. Send it to as many magazines and newspapers as possible. Many do not accept unsolicited stories, but one time you may get lucky.

I am a firm believer in people making change for themselves instead of just hoping someone else will make things change. Sending letters of protest to the magazine may help, but pointing out the many good things about Medellin and Colombia in a well written fashion is better.

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i1ru says on Mar 28, 2006, 07:25:

It is tru that is a sad article. However, we can not deny that it reflects reality of our city. The city we live in, the city we breathe. All the ones agains the article are probaly living a decent life. Not the life that many of the people in Medellin lives. People that cannot even read this comments simply because they do not have the means to afford it. I agree that by protesting you don't help your case and instead you end up making an even more ridiculous mischaracterization as someone stated before.
Quotes were from real people, pictures were from actual places. Let's stop that cheap romanticism about us being the best people and having the best city in the world. That is our main problem!!
Instead, do something to make the city better.. but I can assure you that being mad at Victor Gaviria is not a solucion. A country needs to express itself and it has nothing to do with economics... it has to do with a cultural need (and I am an economist by the way).
So please, just don't close your eyes. I know it hurts and it hurts me (I live in Medellin and I am as paisa as can be). However hurting should be a motivation to make things better... not to close our eyes.
Please people in Medellin. Stop thinking we are the best city in the world and stop thinking we are the best people ever. Instead, please realize that we are people and that our city needs change and love... not ultra-ego. They day that that ultra-paisa ego leaves as in peace, we'll be able to do more for our city.
And if you are too upset. Then why don't you go ahead and write a good story about Medellin and send it to a magazines or newspapers.

That would be a good start!!

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aztec says on Mar 29, 2006, 03:39:

The change in perception must start with Colombians. "The change in perception must start with Colombians." I agree. In the final analysis Colombians must shape there own destiny.

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cali373 says on Mar 29, 2006, 12:34:

sorry folks, I beleive that Medellin and Colombia has many positive characteristics and negative, as portrayed in NG, but I strongly believe in freedom of the press. It not they were making up stories like "they have weapons of mass destruction".

Smile if you are a thinker!

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toneloc24 says on Mar 29, 2006, 14:38:

Medellin Are you gonna write a letter of protest to the Colombian government regarding this? Oh yeah, this is also Medellin.

Or does this deserve to be swept under the rug also?

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

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morphus says on Mar 29, 2006, 15:44:

Theres even worse than that. At least those houses are made from blocks. The ones made from wood are a lot worse.

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kernow62 says on Mar 29, 2006, 15:49:

What's wrong with that Tonloc, looks OK to me.

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poco says on Mar 29, 2006, 16:35:

Ok what was the ONE YEAR OLD article about !!! I agree, the houses look about the same as where I live.

Having a brick house is ALMOST a given if you live in the city limits.

Hey,, I'd bet they have paved streets !!!!!! Street Lights !!!!!

CITY WATER !!!!!

"When you men get home and face an anti-war protester, look him in the eyes and shake his hand. Then, wink at his girlfriend, because she knows she's dating a pussy." Quote - General Tommy Franks

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