La primera noche (2003)

User Rating:

7.1/10   

Director:

Luis Alberto Restrepo

Writers:

Alberto Quiroga (writer)
Luis Alberto Restrepo (writer)

Release Date:

12 September 2003 (Colombia)

Genre:

Drama

Awards:

7 wins & 2 nominations

Cast

Carolina Lizarazo	...	Paulina
John Álex Toro	...	Toño
Hernán Méndez	...	El Indio
Enrique Carriazo	...	Sergeant Castellanos
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Andrea Castaño
Alfonso Ortiz
José Ortiz
Julián Román	...	Wilson
Ana María Sánchez
Jennifer Steffens	...	Prostitute
Diego Vásquez

Also Known As:

The First Night (International: English title)

Runtime:

Colombia:94 min

Country:

Colombia

Language:

Spanish

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Filming Locations:

Bogotá, Colombia

Company:

Congo Films

Decent, worthy filmmaking

At last colombian filmmakers decide to tackle the difficult subject of the recent history of violence and forced displacement Colombia is facing, and do it with respect for the dignity and humanity of their subjects. Unlike the recent fiascoes of the Trianas, which made fun of their caracthers and turned them into dumb sketches in order to make the audience laugh, Restrepo tells the story of two peasants forced to move to the city with respect and honesty. Surprisingly good performaces by all of the cast, especially Carriazo, Méndez and Lizarazo, allow the story to be heartfelt and moving, if not too cold. Sadly, the pace is very contrived and it makes this 80-minute film feel like a two-and-a-half hour movie, and Restrepo's direction shows too much influence from his work in television, hence making everything look a little phony. It's not a perfect movie, it has very visible flaws and weaknesses, but it's a step up in the recent display of crap colombian filmmakers have been handing out. Let's try to keep this up, shall we?