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My first encounter with Colombian culture came through "pasion de gavilanes", a truly fantastic telenovela that was airing in Spain. I spent the humid summer months in Madrid drinking dirt cheap wine from the box, sitting on a bean bag in my underwear fantasising about Dana Garcia. According to pasion de gavilanes, all Colombian women wear cowboy hats with bikinis.
I was hooked.
("Quien es ese hoooombreee? Quien me mira y me desnudaaaa?" as goes the theme-tune)
"La mujer en el espejo" then followed, with the fantastic "El cuerpo del deseo" (along with some mexican novelas, such as Amarte asi Frijolito, and Contra marea y viento).
The telenovelas were how I learnt my Spanish - I watched them with subtitles and a dictionary on my lap, obediently looking up "Digame de la traicion Don Miguel-Vicente, sera la verdad que Efrain-Antonio es su hijo?? - Me temo que si, Maria del Dolor..." and any other phrases which may have confounded me.
Telenovelas quickly became my guide to Latin American culture - it is in no small part thanks to them that I am in Bogota now. Since arriving I have joyfully discovered that real life in South America is just as scandolous and gossip-ridden as the novelas portray them to be.
For the uninitated, novelas may appear to be over-the-top and cheaply produced rubbish. Well, in a way they are, but there is a beauty underneath. The plots are wonderfully complicated (although the characters are not - you are born good or evil, so it seems), and little ambiguity as to whether events are bad or good is afforded, thanks to the ever-present soundtrack continually stating "this is baaad!" or "this is gooood!" respectively.
Currently on air is "Nuevo Rico, Nuevo Pobre" - where two men (one rich and one poor) discover that they swapped places at birth. They have just recently learned the truth, and the poor guy has moved into the (old) rich guy's house. I recommend it.
So, the next time you're skipping through the channels and you hit RCN or Caracol, stay for a while....
By Leeroy on Jul 25, 2007, 19:12 in Friendly Talkzone.
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Simon says on Jul 25, 2007, 19:27: 'Pasion de Gavilanes' is not really a Colombian telenovela. It was filmed in Colombia but it does not take place there, had an international cast, and was produced by US channel Telemundo. "You want to talk to God? Let's go see him together, I've got nothing better to do."---Indiana Jones (Raiders of the Lost Ark) |
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gabolicious says on Jul 25, 2007, 19:30: "Francisco Rodolfo Alfredo Leeroy... yo soy tu hijo!" "The new land of opportunities: Colombia!" ----- Mr Miguel_Clavo on PBH |
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Leeroy says on Jul 25, 2007, 19:34: True Simon - I believe it was supposedly set in Mexico. In any case, telemundo do most of the good novelas these days - are you really going to split hairs about such things? If it was filmed in Colombia and had (some) Colombian actors/actresses, that's good enough for me.
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gabolicious says on Jul 25, 2007, 19:41: "pero usted me dejo cuando niño!" "The new land of opportunities: Colombia!" ----- Mr Miguel_Clavo on PBH |
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Leeroy says on Jul 25, 2007, 19:46: La mujer desgraciada Karla Rosario Guadalupe Paloma me traiciono con otro hombre. Nunca la perdonare. Nunca! Ademas, Don Rodrigo Gabriel Francisco, yo no soy el unico quien sabe su secreto oscuro de lo que paso esa noche - la noche de la boda de Isabel-Francesca y Carlos Rafael Castillo!
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gabolicious says on Jul 25, 2007, 19:49: "JAMAS!!!" "The new land of opportunities: Colombia!" ----- Mr Miguel_Clavo on PBH |
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Leeroy says on Jul 25, 2007, 19:51: One of my dreams is to star in a telenovela. Seriously. I would pay to do it.
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manINred says on Jul 25, 2007, 19:53: RCN and Caracol: good news and they have two shows called 'Nada Mas que La Verdad' and 'El Jugador'... both of which are enjoyable, although morally beligerant.
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Peter (Moderator) says on Jul 26, 2007, 00:16: Haha I learnt Spanish from watching the Simpsons in Spanish, and Betty la Fea (the original). Poor but snappy |
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LA_MONA says on Jul 26, 2007, 02:29: Betty La Fea y Pedro el Escamoso, the best! Para volar, es preciso tener resistencia. -M.Lin |
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markiev says on Jul 26, 2007, 03:52: El Zorro was filmed in villa de leyva....Just had it's final episode here in the states(telemundo) and I thought it was a very well done novela....Esmeralda and Maria angel were Hottttttt!!!!!....I believe the episode are still going on in Colombia.
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Peter (Moderator) says on Jul 26, 2007, 04:37: Yea I saw they painted the town in colors for that (the white was too glaring for the cameras) - I wonder if they painted it back to white now. Poor but snappy |
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LA_MONA says on Jul 26, 2007, 04:41: Does anyone know where Pedrito (el escamoso) was supposed to be from? I know he was a "calentano" and he had to leave due to a "faldas" problem jjeje Para volar, es preciso tener resistencia. -M.Lin |
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paisa29 says on Jul 26, 2007, 05:41: Quien esta viendo La Hija del Mariachi? me encanta especialmente cuando dicen las cosas por medio de las rancheras.
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LA_MONA says on Jul 26, 2007, 05:47: Quiubo Paisita!! Para volar, es preciso tener resistencia. -M.Lin |
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paisa29 says on Jul 26, 2007, 05:49: Si, es una historia de amor muy bonita entre un Mexicano y una Colombiana, te la recomiendo mucho.
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LA_MONA says on Jul 26, 2007, 06:08: Ok I'll be watching it soon so we can comment on it....where do you get it from? Para volar, es preciso tener resistencia. -M.Lin |
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paisa29 says on Jul 26, 2007, 06:13: Canal RCN de lunes a viernes como a las 9:00pm aqui en Colombia
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Monpirri says on Jul 26, 2007, 06:21: Pasion de Gavilanes, El Zorro and other ones alike are complete fiascos in terms of promoting Colombian culture. There are dozen of Colombian novelas that are worth mentioning here. Annette Taddeo for US Congress 2008 |
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Monpirri says on Jul 26, 2007, 06:46: I agree with Mona. Annette Taddeo for US Congress 2008 |
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Monpirri says on Jul 26, 2007, 06:57: Correction: La Costeña y el Cachaco, Amor a Mil Annette Taddeo for US Congress 2008 |
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LA_MONA says on Jul 26, 2007, 07:27: I have some catching up to do! Para volar, es preciso tener resistencia. -M.Lin |
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orestesdd says on Jul 26, 2007, 07:34: Hmm, I am watching a show in telefutura here in California, and I wonder if the show is from Colombia. It looks like it is, but the ending credits do not say or give me a clue. The name of this telenovela is "La Vida es Asi". Does anyone know? And it seems that every week the story changes. Last week it was about this guy that works in a real estate agency, and every woman he meets wants to sleep with him. However, the last episode let me hanging since this week the show is telling a totally different story. All women in this show are amazingly beautiful and extremely sexy. So is this a Colombian show? Thanks.
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gabolicious says on Jul 26, 2007, 08:17: I'm watching "sin tetas..." i have read the book though soooo sad... sometimes I don't like to watch colombian soap operas 'cause the remind me my Colombia... and it is really hard to watch them... "The new land of opportunities: Colombia!" ----- Mr Miguel_Clavo on PBH |
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LA_MONA says on Jul 26, 2007, 09:13: Yes I agree Gabo, I was just watching it to see Catalina's brother Byron... Para volar, es preciso tener resistencia. -M.Lin |
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gabolicious says on Jul 26, 2007, 09:22: i have a friend who's deeply in love with him.. everytime she sees him she goes "The new land of opportunities: Colombia!" ----- Mr Miguel_Clavo on PBH |
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Simon says on Jul 26, 2007, 09:25: orestesdd, "You want to talk to God? Let's go see him together, I've got nothing better to do."---Indiana Jones (Raiders of the Lost Ark) |
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Monpirri says on Jul 26, 2007, 09:32: "I'm watching "sin tetas..." i have read the book though soooo sad... sometimes I don't like to watch colombian soap operas 'cause the remind me my Colombia... and it is really hard to watch them..." Annette Taddeo for US Congress 2008 |
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LA_MONA says on Jul 26, 2007, 09:41: Gabo - even though he is a malandro he still has a heart I think we women love him due to that mix of good looks, danger and the facts that he loves his mami....awwww Para volar, es preciso tener resistencia. -M.Lin |
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gabolicious says on Jul 26, 2007, 09:43: oh yeah Monpi.. me referÃa a que no me gusta verlas porque las locaciones, el acento (los modismos), incluso el otro dÃa viendo "sin tetas.." vi que Catalina y Byron estaban comiendo una arepa y yo ahà frente al televisor con la lengua de fuera... deseando darle una mordidita a la arepa... o tomando un poquito de aguardiente.. =( eso sà que es triste "The new land of opportunities: Colombia!" ----- Mr Miguel_Clavo on PBH |
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LA_MONA says on Jul 26, 2007, 09:47: You can't get arepa en Mexico? Compre la harina de maiz y las haces, super facil.. Para volar, es preciso tener resistencia. -M.Lin |
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gabolicious says on Jul 26, 2007, 09:55: noooo i can't get arepas here!!!!!!! "The new land of opportunities: Colombia!" ----- Mr Miguel_Clavo on PBH |
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LA_MONA says on Jul 26, 2007, 10:05: http://www.chispaisas.info/cocina3.htm Para volar, es preciso tener resistencia. -M.Lin |
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gabolicious says on Jul 26, 2007, 10:19: mmm interesting web site... "The new land of opportunities: Colombia!" ----- Mr Miguel_Clavo on PBH |
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Monpirri says on Jul 26, 2007, 13:41: Oye Mona, como sabes tantas cosas de Colombia? Que barbaridad, que impresionante Annette Taddeo for US Congress 2008 |
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Monpirri says on Jul 26, 2007, 13:44: Gabolicious, Annette Taddeo for US Congress 2008 |
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LA_MONA says on Jul 26, 2007, 15:23: Monpi es que fui y estoy 100% bien entrenada por my husband quien durante el tiempo que tomara me explico y me enseño todo sobre Colombia porque nunca has visto un colombiano tan colombiano Dios Mio, y si yo no fuera asi y no me hubiera gustado tanto Colombia y aprender de ella no se hubiera casado conmigo! Y eso no es chiste.....las personas aqui cuando me conocen aveces piensan que soy colombiana.....me encanta! Para volar, es preciso tener resistencia. -M.Lin |
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Monpirri says on Jul 26, 2007, 16:22: Here's a sample. I'm still looking for the episode that I mentioned above...just give me a little time. Annette Taddeo for US Congress 2008 |
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LA_MONA says on Jul 27, 2007, 02:04: Monpi that's the guy from Betty La Fea? Ah I want to see it so much now......I have heard that song before Para volar, es preciso tener resistencia. -M.Lin |
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Monpirri says on Jul 27, 2007, 04:28: Yes, Mona that's the same guy! And Yes, Mona, you heard the song before, well is here in pbh, it's called La Niña bonita by MaÃa Annette Taddeo for US Congress 2008 |
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LA_MONA says on Jul 27, 2007, 04:52: Buenos dias Monpi! thanks for the link honey... Para volar, es preciso tener resistencia. -M.Lin |
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Monpirri says on Jul 27, 2007, 05:11: Buenos dias mi amor, Annette Taddeo for US Congress 2008 |
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pepipox says on May 8, 2008, 09:51: Right on spot Leeroy. Good and fun analysis of telenovela. However, as another pointed out, "pasion de gavilanes" is not a truly colombian novel. You can see for example novelas by Julio Jimenez, which are truly colombian. If you want to see some really colombian stuff, you can see from the 80s "musica maestro" and "quieta margarita", just for recalling some examples.
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kat1 (Moderator) says on May 8, 2008, 12:57: Every novela done by telemundo or Univision is Rubish!
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kalder says on May 8, 2008, 13:07: My wife is always watching "La Tracion". "kalder- have you ever had a woman?"--Sam Salmon |
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Monpirri says on May 8, 2008, 17:14: I forgot about this thread I promised to post more video clip about "La Costeña y el Cachaco" Annette Taddeo for US Congress 2008 |
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Monpirri says on May 8, 2008, 17:17: La costeña y el cachaco 2/1 Annette Taddeo for US Congress 2008 |
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Monpirri says on May 8, 2008, 18:35: I see the resemblances between el paisano in the soap opera and paisano robi666. Annette Taddeo for US Congress 2008 |
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