The Colors of the Mountain (2010)
"Los colores de la montaña" (original title)

Manuel, 9, has an old ball with which he plays football every day in the countryside. He dreams of becoming a great goalkeeper. His wishes seem set to come true when Ernest, his father, ... See full summary »

Director:

Carlos César Arbeláez

Stars:

Hernán Mauricio Ocampo, Nolberto Sánchez, Genaro Aristizábal

5 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Hernán Mauricio Ocampo	...	Manuel
Nolberto Sánchez	...	Julián (as Luis Nolberto Sánchez)
Genaro Aristizábal	...	Poca Luz (as Genaro Alfonso Aristizábal)
Hernán Méndez	...	Ernesto
Carmen Torres	...	Miriam
Natalia Cuéllar	...	Carmen (as Natalia Cuellar)
Antonio Galeano	...	Don Alberto
Ángela Patricia Ángel	...	Luisa
Félix Jaramillo	...	Mario
Dora Patricia Méndez	...	Julián's Mother
Elizabeth Aristizábal	...	Poca Luz's Little Sister
Juan Rodrigo Correa	...	Poca Luz's Father
Berenice Echeverri	...	Poca Luz's Mother
María Alejandra Vargas	...	Julián's Sister
Javier Cardona	...	Guerrilla Leader

Storyline

Manuel, 9, has an old ball with which he plays football every day in the countryside. He dreams of becoming a great goalkeeper. His wishes seem set to come true when Ernest, his father, gives him a new ball. But an unexpected accident sends the ball flying into a minefield. Despite the danger, Manuel refuses to abandon his treasure... He convinces Julián and Poca Luz, his two friends, to rescue it with him. Amid the adventures and kids' games, the signs of armed conflict start to appear in the lives of the inhabitants of 'La Pradera'.

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Plot Keywords:

minefield | color pencil | juice | bicycle | village | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Official Sites:

Official site [co]

Country:

Colombia Panama

Language:

Spanish

Release Date:

6 May 2011 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Colors of the Mountain

Company Credits

Production Co:

El Bus Producciones, Jaguar Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Colombia's official submission to the Best Foreign Language Film category of the 84th Academy Awards 2012.

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Connections

Referenced in Estrenos Críticos: El episodio que va a contrarreloj (2011)

User Reviews

Also in the hell is friendship possible

The humble people of the countryside, mostly, not want anything to live at peace with his family and neighbors. Caring for chickens, planting your garden and extract the milk of the cow daily what help them raise their children, are your greatest aspirations. They send their children to school only because they understand that being illiterate involves some limitations, but most are content to learn the skills that help them survive in communion with the earth, plants and animals.

The farmer did not understand much -or want to know- about politics, armed groups, no war, let alone understand the worries of power, expropriation and exile that encourage so many men who seem to have been dead soul. But, one day, the sun illuminating the land is colored gray, the rivers and crystal clear water not only flows but, every now and then, drag the dead body of someone who sided or simply refused to stand with one, and in the mountains, the wind does not blow with his characteristic freshness but ill-fated day brings news full of despair.

But in the midst of so much pain and distress, children are happy knowing that not everything is perfect. Encouraged the game, the color of the valleys and mountains, the proximity of their pets, the affection of his parents ... and above all, friendship.

It is in this environment, where the life of Manuel, the son of Ernesto and Miriam, for whom football has a great meaning, and whose father feels that "the community has nothing to do with the thing they (guerrillas and paramilitaries )". Julián is the big boy friend who collects different types of bullets that have cracked their land. And Genaro, whom they call "Little Light" is the albino child who trying to convince someone - without reason- that for this feature, your life expectancy will be short.

Results of a long wait and a few frustrations, "COLORS OF THE MOUNTAIN" It was like those who spend bamboo growing roots long, drawing directions, and calculating the size of the sky, and then emerge with impetus and glory. And then, reaffirms that the great and worthy is almost always the result of an big effort.

Emotional and convincing interpretations of those small, without any acting experience, won a huge natural. Well, once more, Hernán Méndez (recycleman memorable in "La primera noche"), as the loving father of small Manuel. And good for Natalia Cuellar, the beautiful teacher who seeks to restore hope of peace to children.

This is one of the best, poignant and true stories are told in Colombian cinema. Any recognition that can be made will be well deserved.