Hacia la oscuridad (2007)

Deals with 90 minutes in a kidnapped hostage's life, and the frustration his family, a special ops team, and a man in charge of delivering the ransom money all feel as they rush to save him.

Director:

Antonio Negret

Writer:

Antonio Negret

Stars:

Roberto Urbina, America Ferrera, David Sutcliffe

1 nomination.

Cast

Credited cast:
Roberto Urbina	...	Jose Gutierrez
America Ferrera	...	Luiza
David Sutcliffe	...	Charlie Bain
Tony Plana	...	Carlos Gutierrez
William Atherton	...	John
Alejandra Borrero	...	Marta Gutierrez
Fernando Solórzano	...	Umberto Pompeo
Roberto Cano	...	Pedro
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Juan Carlos Arango	...	Bucko
Alonso Arias	...	Sandro
Chantelle Bogue	...	Dying Girl
Carlos Humberto Camacho	...	Roberto 'El Lobo' Sanchez
Cameron Daddo	...	Victor
Claudia Degustini	...	Sheila Mendoza
Omar Diaz	...	Customs Official

Storyline

José Gutierrez, the son of a banker in Colombia, has been kidnapped. In 90 minutes, the ransom is due or he will be killed. In real time, and in flashbacks about each main character, we see José in New York with his girlfriend and back home with Luiza an old flame; his parents seek the help of an ex-FBI agent, and José's father's makes a bargain with the devil for the ransom money; the kidnappers also face problems. The suitcase of cash is racing to the drop, but traffic delays the driver. Armed operatives are en route to where they think José is captive. Cash, drugs, guns, bargains, soldiers of fortune, dispossessed farmers, family, and death: Colombia.

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Plot Keywords:

mercenary | sport utility vehicle | ransom | colombia | drugs | 

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Taglines:

Sometimes even ransom isn't enough.

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

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

Did You Know?

Connections

Remake of Darkness Minus Twelve (2004)

User Reviews

My home...my friends...my country...all caught up in a crossfire of violence.

Being a fan of "Man on Fire," I decided to check out this film produced by and starring America Ferrera ("Ugly Betty") to expose the problem of kidnapping in Columbia. She says, "The rate in Colombia is awful. More than one person a day is kidnapped there." It is not just a problem in Columbia, but in many places in the World.

Roberto Urbina (Che: Part One) as Jose is the victim, and spends his time thinking about his ex-girlfriend Luiza (America Ferrera). Of course, the film flashes back and forth from real time to the time of the kidnapping.

Jose is not too smart. He sees some thugs in a bar that earlier pulled a gun on him on the football field, and he stands there downing shot after shot. Did Luiza set him up? He sure wasn't sober enough to see it coming.

It did have a great car chase when Charlie (David Sutcliffe), the ex-FBI agent helping to deliver the ransom steals a car after getting stuck in traffic.

An interesting film on the subject, but didn't set me on fire.

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

Spanish English

Release Date:

3 June 2008 (USA)

Also Known As:

Towards Darkness

Filming Locations:

Panama City, Panama

Company Credits

Production Co:

Towards Darkness, Macumba Films, Negret Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

94 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1