The Kidnapping of Ingrid Betancourt (2003)

On May 26, 2002, we watched the Colombian presidential elections from Bogotà's regal Plaza de Bolivar. We had come to Colombia to document the campaign of controversial presidential ... See full summary »

Directors:

Victoria Bruce, Karin Hayes

7 wins & 1 nomination.

Storyline

On May 26, 2002, we watched the Colombian presidential elections from Bogotà's regal Plaza de Bolivar. We had come to Colombia to document the campaign of controversial presidential candidate, Ingrid Betancourt. But on Election Day, Ingrid never arrived. Instead, the candidate appeared in the Plaza as a cardboard torso-carried in the arms of her husband, Juan Carlos Lecompte. As Juan Carlos and Ingrid's mother, Yolanda Pulecio, pleaded with the Colombian people for solidarity, Ingrid spent Election Day deep in the Colombian jungle-a hostage of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), and one of the thousands of victims of Colombia's 40 year-old civil war. In THE KIDNAPPING OF INGRID BETANCOURT, Ingrid Betancourt tells her own life story including how, since the beginning of her congressional election in 1994, she risked her life by denouncing Colombian politicians who have been linked to drug cartels. The film continues after the day she is kidnapped on February 23, 2002, ...

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Plot Keywords:

election | colombia | campaign | politician | kidnapping | 

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Genres:

Documentary

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Did You Know?

Trivia

Won "Best Documentary" at El Festivalito International Digital Film Festival 2004, Santa Cruz de la Palma, Island of La Palma, Canary Islands.

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Soundtracks

Días
by Hector Buitrago and Andrea Echeverri
Performed by Aterciopelados

User Reviews

An Incredible Story

The kidnapping of a Colombian presidential candidate is the focus of this documentary film; a story that could captivate the world if people would only listen. The story follows Ingrid Betancourt, a former Colombian senator who was running for president when she was kidnapped by members of a Marxist rebel organization in southern Colombia known as the FARC.

The directors spend a great deal of time with Ingrid's family and friends as the campaign continues despite her disappearance. By the end of the film you really feel as though you know the individuals personally and you can definitely feel their pain. Don't be surprised if a few tears are shed toward the end.

This is an incredible documentary about a situation in the world that most people choose to ignore. If only more of the world would focus on horrific situations like that in Colombia, perhaps we might be a better people.

Definite kudos to Victoria Bruce and Karin Hayes for their incredible work. These two ladies are some of the best and most promising directors/producers in the business!

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

February 2005 (France)

Also Known As:

The Kidnapping of Ingrid Betancourt

Filming Locations:

Colombia

Company Credits

Production Co:

Urcunina Films, NL3 Audio

Technical Specs

Color:

Color