An uncompromising and "risky" look at a brave, idealistic young woman raised in a life of privilege, who didn't avert her eyes from the suffering of her people. Ingrid Betancourt found that both the Conservative and Liberal Parties in Colombia, though they flaunted conflicting viewpoints, were all but the same where it mattered to the people. Neither were willing to cross swords with the drug cartels, and FARC (Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia)continued their reign of terror unchecked, kidnapping people for ransom. Betancourt created her own party "Oxygen", a truly Liberal party by any free society's standards, and it cost her dearly as the title of this film reveals. Bruce and Hayes, the filmmakers, obviously put themselves in harm's way to shoot this heart-rendering documentary, two American women in a place where kidnapping is a way of life. I don't know what film the previous poster watched, but this is anything but "boring", I learned more about the trials of the Colombian people and their plight in the first 10 minutes of the production than I had my entire life. It broke my heart to see images of this idealistic and courageous young woman before her abduction and after, she looked as though she aged 20 years. I also felt a sense of shame when I considered how much we take for granted. Watching her husband and children looking for any bit of news on her condition...I doubt I'll ever look at my own family without an enormous sense of gratitude ever again. I give this marvelous film my highest recommendation.
4 Reviews
Worthy though a bit dull
JohnSeal10 March 2004
Whilst this look at Colombian presidential candidate and FARC kidnap victim Ingrid Betancourt gives the viewer a good look at a presidential campaign eclipsed by a crime, it tends to put its subject on a pedestal, leaving its audience with far too many unanswered questions. Colombia's 40 year old civil war is mentioned in passing, and there are some brief attempts to put FARC in context, but too much of the film is spent with Ms. Betancourt's family and friends, who can do little more than express their understandable grief. It would have been far more interesting to focus on the political games going on in Colombia, viewed through the prism of the kidnappings. The film also leaves unspoken the clearly privileged background of Ingrid: surely a factor of some importance in this poverty ridden nation's troubles. Overall, this is a fairly interesting film about a fairly interesting person, but it falls well short of greatness.
An Incredible Story
schristofferson19 March 2005
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!
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!
Courageous Directors
soberlyf5 January 2012
I want to know who's reviewing documentaries that gave this a 6.7 avg, was there a link from like Beavis and Butthead or something? This was a brilliant, gutsy and heart-rendering project, one tasked by 2 American women in Columbia who put their lives on the line. They pursued this story while basically painting a bullseye on themselves for an "organization" like FARC who'd shown they are indiscriminate about who they will kidnap...they took a Presidential candidate, I don't envision 2 American women would be a stretch. Watch this brilliant film and you'll see the effects of kidnapping first hand and how it impacts a family, you'll learn about the unimaginable struggle to get your loved ones back from terrorists. A must-see film.
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