Alias Maria, El Abrazo de la Serpiente, La Tierra y La Sombra and El Concursante will all be aired at the world’s most famous movie festival, held in the city of Cannes, on the French Riviera. Here is everything you need to know about the four directors who will represent the nation:
1. César Augusto Acevedo
It was first time lucky for César Augusto Acevedo. La Tierra y La Sombra (The Land and The Shadow) is the first movie directed by the Colombian screenwriter, who is from Cali. It will feature in Cannes’ Critics’ Week, which showcases the work of new film-makers. The movie explores the theme of redemption, as an old farmer returns to the family he abandoned 17 years previously to tend to his gravely ill son. Acevedo shot the movie amid the ash of burning sugar plantations of his native Valle del Cauca.
2. José Luis Rugeles
José Luis Rugeles, from Bogota, was an experienced director and cinematographer who specialised in commercial and music videos before turning his hand to movies in 1995, co-founding Rhayuela Films. The company produced both his debut, the Bogota-based Garcia, and Alias Maria, which will feature in the Un Certain Regard section of this year’s Cannes Film Festival. Alias Maria tells the story of a 13-year-old, pregnant guerrilla soldier who runs away in order to avoid having to abort her baby.
3. Ciro Guerra
Ciro Guerra knows exactly what to expect at Cannes. His last film, Los Viajes del Viento, premiered there in 2009 and this year he’ll present El Abrazo de la Serpiente in Directors’ Fortnight. The 34-year-old, from Rio de Oro, Cesar, made several short films before his debut, La Sombra del Caminante, which was shown at more than 60 festivals worldwide. Guerra has won numerous awards for his films, including top prizes at the Los Angeles Latino Film Festival and the Rotterdam Film Festival.
4. Carlos Osuna
Most people remember Carlos Osuna’s first film, Gordo, Calvo y Bajito (Fat, Bald and Short) an animated movie about timid, middle-aged virgin Antonio Farfan, who was bullied by his family and work colleagues. This year Osuna, from Bogota, will premiere El Concursante at Cannes. The film also has a shy protagonist, Christopher, whose mother forces him to wait in line to claim a free pressure cooker. The film is based on the true story of a Colombian corporate promotion that spiralled out of control.
Colombia is proud to support its film directors at Cannes and it’s clear that when it comes to hot new movies, Colombia is the answer. If you liked this article, please share it on facebook, twitter, LinkedIn, Google+ or any of your social networks
If you want to know more about Colombia’s movie directors and the film industry, read these articles:
