Chronicles (2004)
"Crónicas" (original title)

A suspense thriller about a reporter from Miami who travels to Ecuador in pursuit of a serial killer known as the "Monster of Babahoyo."

Director:

Sebastián Cordero

Writer:

Sebastián Cordero

Stars:

John Leguizamo, Damián Alcázar, Alfred Molina

8 wins & 8 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
John Leguizamo	...	Manolo Bonilla
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Damián Alcázar	...	Vinicio Cepeda
Peki Andino	...	Sargento Saltos (as Peky Andino)
Amira Bustamante	...	Señorita Autógrafo
Carlos Cedeño	...	Hombre Enfurecido 2
Andrés Crespo	...	Preso Medio Gramo
Elena Del Rocío Murillo	...	Partera
Susana Díaz Nieto	...	Secretaria Sociedad Biblica
Jaime Estrada	...	Señor Limpieza
Washington Garzón	...	Joseph Juan
Ricardo Paul Gonzalez	...	Policía Mina
Patricia Higuera	...	Reportera
Hugo Idrovo	...	Lic. Orestes Zambrano
Víctor Feratio Jiménez	...	Roger
Adrián Layana	...	Joven Violento

Storyline

When the star of a sensationalistic Miami news show travels to the Ecuadorian coastal village of Babahoyo to cover the story of a serial killer who hunts children, his personal ambition gets out of hand, and his pursuit of a moment of glory carries tragic consequences.

---

Plot Keywords:

serial killer | ecuador | interview | adultery | beating | 

---

Taglines:

If It's On TV, It Must Be The Truth.

---

Genres:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violence, a scene of sexuality, and language

Details

Official Sites:

Palm Pictures [us]

Country:

Mexico Ecuador

Language:

Spanish English

Release Date:

21 April 2006 (Mexico)

Also Known As:

Chronicles

Filming Locations:

Babahoyo, Ecuador

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$143,271 (Mexico) (21 April 2006)

Gross:

$143,271 (Mexico) (21 April 2006)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cabezahueca, Tequila Gang, Esperanto Filmoj

Technical Specs

Runtime:

108 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This was Colombian actor John Leguizamo's first film in Spanish. As all of his projects have been in English, he felt awkward talking in Spanish while acting. He felt he didn't know the language.

User Reviews

Intense & Confronting drama-thriller.

Crónicas is more than just another lame and wannabe provocative satire that wants to prove how the media and charismatic reporters are capable of influencing people's opinions and emotions. In fact, it does handle about that, but it's definitely not a dumb satire. It's a harsh and harrowing social drama, set in an ultimately depressing environment and focusing on the inhabitants of a country that the pubic opinion usually neglects. Here is one foreign film production that Hollywood isn't likely to remake any time soon, and even if some fancy producer would consider a remake, you can rest assured that the content and especially the whole denouement will be changed drastically. The story entirely takes place in a small village in Ecuador, where a feared psychopath has already sexually abused and killed nearly 150 innocent children. New mass graves are discovered almost on a weekly basis and the petrified community fears the murderer will never be caught. The acclaimed Miami TV-reporter Manolo Bonilla, on location with his crew to shoot a documentary on the issue, prevents a man from getting lynched by an angry mob when he causes a car accident involving a young boy. Whilst in prison, the man provides Bonilla with a lot of detailed information concerning the murders and the reporter quickly becomes obsessed with the idea of catching the killer himself. In exchange for further information, Bonilla promises the man to do an emotional TV-show about his wrongful imprisonment. "Crónicas" benefices from a powerful first half hour and especially the climax sequences are ultimately fascinating and shocking. Unfortunately the middle-section of the film is somewhat sluggish and dull, but at least you can admire the beautiful filming location and the genuinely moving acting performances of the overall unknown cast. The film contains several unsettling images of violence and human misery, but the unconventional ending is far more shocking & disturbing than on screen violence could ever be. And you can even despise the characters for their action, because deep down you realize you'd do exactly the same. This film isn't a masterpiece, but it's definitely a film you won't forget easily.