"La Niña" is a compelling story about a girl in Colombia that was kidnapped and forced to join the guerrillas. It is a Nextflix Original Spanish language series.
With 88 episodes, it really feels like four quality seasons of an American television show. Watching over the course of a few months, the show is very satisfying at its worse, and beautifully interesting at its best.
The cast brings more than talent, and this show features an ensemble cast that clearly placed their hearts into their work. Everyone does a wonderful job. I found myself rather emotional when I reached the closing credits of the final episode. The characters are developed in a way that makes them feel like you're visiting friends.
Being based on a true story, the narrative is rich in an array of emotions and personal struggles. I have not visited Colombia, and was unaware of the level of difficulty those who escaped the guerrillas faced. This prejudice is directly addressed by educating the audience as characters grow, or dig their heels in. It's done in a realistic way, without being preachy.
Initially, there are scenes set in the past and present that effectively add context when we meet Belky, La Niña. After escaping, at the still young age of 15, Belky is commits petty crimes to survive. She gets arrested, and lands in a re-entry program.
While in the program, Belky meets Manuel, who also escaped, and they start a romance. Belky also identifies her dream of studying medicine, and she is reunited with her biological family.
The brother Belky traded places with when she was abducted died while she was captive. As would be expected, it's devastating. The family is indeed in great pain. The performances are so powerful, viewers are flooded with empathy.
Reunification isn't easy. Belky and her mother experience conflict. Her sisters fear she is dangerous.
At times, Belky's mother could be misunderstood as being overbearing, but it's clear she's experiencing her own personal hell. Not only was Belky kidnapped, but her son died. The family also struggles economically.
Spanning close to four years, Belky faces many obstacles. Her former commander hunts her, a doctor tries to poison her, and a vengeful former guerrilla threatens Belky's family when she can't get to Belky.
When Belky is accepted to medical school, she finds a whole support system among the professors and students. The best part is that each character is explored, providing 3 dimensional people that go through their own growth and challenges.
Belky experiences some bullying, and later establishes a semi friendship with her bully, who we learn has a stressful home life of her own.
To me, this show illustrates the strength that lives within us. Belky's experiences are horrific, and they never break her. She keeps getting up. She keeps fighting. She is strength.
I would like to see IMDB add more information about the cast and crew. They are so talented. The production values are top notch. I don't get tired of saying the cast did an amazing job.
If I were to identify criticisms of this series, there were a few times that Belky reached out for help and adults tried to tell her things weren't as bad as she sees them. I wanted to scream at them a few times, but in the end, they all come through.
If you don't speak Spanish, English subtitles are available.
If you have the opportunity, this is a rich story, well worth your time.
With 88 episodes, it really feels like four quality seasons of an American television show. Watching over the course of a few months, the show is very satisfying at its worse, and beautifully interesting at its best.
The cast brings more than talent, and this show features an ensemble cast that clearly placed their hearts into their work. Everyone does a wonderful job. I found myself rather emotional when I reached the closing credits of the final episode. The characters are developed in a way that makes them feel like you're visiting friends.
Being based on a true story, the narrative is rich in an array of emotions and personal struggles. I have not visited Colombia, and was unaware of the level of difficulty those who escaped the guerrillas faced. This prejudice is directly addressed by educating the audience as characters grow, or dig their heels in. It's done in a realistic way, without being preachy.
Initially, there are scenes set in the past and present that effectively add context when we meet Belky, La Niña. After escaping, at the still young age of 15, Belky is commits petty crimes to survive. She gets arrested, and lands in a re-entry program.
While in the program, Belky meets Manuel, who also escaped, and they start a romance. Belky also identifies her dream of studying medicine, and she is reunited with her biological family.
The brother Belky traded places with when she was abducted died while she was captive. As would be expected, it's devastating. The family is indeed in great pain. The performances are so powerful, viewers are flooded with empathy.
Reunification isn't easy. Belky and her mother experience conflict. Her sisters fear she is dangerous.
At times, Belky's mother could be misunderstood as being overbearing, but it's clear she's experiencing her own personal hell. Not only was Belky kidnapped, but her son died. The family also struggles economically.
Spanning close to four years, Belky faces many obstacles. Her former commander hunts her, a doctor tries to poison her, and a vengeful former guerrilla threatens Belky's family when she can't get to Belky.
When Belky is accepted to medical school, she finds a whole support system among the professors and students. The best part is that each character is explored, providing 3 dimensional people that go through their own growth and challenges.
Belky experiences some bullying, and later establishes a semi friendship with her bully, who we learn has a stressful home life of her own.
To me, this show illustrates the strength that lives within us. Belky's experiences are horrific, and they never break her. She keeps getting up. She keeps fighting. She is strength.
I would like to see IMDB add more information about the cast and crew. They are so talented. The production values are top notch. I don't get tired of saying the cast did an amazing job.
If I were to identify criticisms of this series, there were a few times that Belky reached out for help and adults tried to tell her things weren't as bad as she sees them. I wanted to scream at them a few times, but in the end, they all come through.
If you don't speak Spanish, English subtitles are available.
If you have the opportunity, this is a rich story, well worth your time.