The Two Escobars 

The rise of Colombian soccer is attributed to the influx of drug money into the sport by Pablo Escobar and the other drug cartels. However, the team's swift decline after Escobar's death results in the murder of star player Andres Escobar.

Directors:

Jeff Zimbalist, Michael Zimbalist

Writers:

Nick Sprague (original concept), Michael Zimbalist

Stars:

María Ester Escobar, Francisco Maturana, Alexis García V.

1 nomination.

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
María Ester Escobar	...	Self
Francisco Maturana	...	Self
Alexis García V.	...	Self
Jaime Gaviria Gómez	...	Self
Jhon Jairo Velásquez	...	Self (as Jhon Jairo Velásquez V.)
Rubén Darío Pinilla C.	...	Self
Juan José Bellini	...	Self
Fernando Rodríguez Mondragón	...	Self
Eduardo Rojo	...	Self
Leonel Alvarez	...	Self
Luz María Escobar	...	Self
Luis Fernando Herrera	...	Self
Fernando Brito	...	Self
Tom Cash	...	Self
Alirio López	...	Self

Storyline

Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, many believe, Pablo Escobar's Medellín Cartel and the Cali Cartels were largely responsible for financing and building the Colombian National soccer team into one of the world's best. But in an early match against the United States in the 1994 FIFA World Cup, a Colombian defense man named Andres Escobar-no relation to Pablo-committed an own goal that led to the team's elimination. Less than ten days later, Escobar was gunned down outside a bar in a suburb of Medellin. He was shot 12 times, and the murderer shouted "goal" each time the trigger was pulled. Was Escobar's murder an isolated incident, or were gambling organizations controlled by the cartels responsible? Award-winning director Jeff Zimbalist will examine the mysterious events leading up to and surrounding Andres Escobar's death.

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Plot Keywords:

former assassin | dea drug enforcement administration | team | soccer | colombian | 

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Genres:

Documentary | Biography | History | Sport

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Did You Know?

Connections

References Favela Rising (2005)

User Reviews

The Hopes And Dreams Of An Entire Country Rested On 2 Men With 1 Name

I feel that this documentary must be praised for its openness. The lack of bias displayed by the films writer/directors must be applauded. Sure, there may be the odd thing in this film that people may question or debate. However when you consider all the happenings and parties that are involved in the events of this story. Then you can easily see that this really is an amazingly well told and open minded attempt to tell this complex and far reaching tale. People from multiple sides are given a chance to express their views, and that is exactly how documentaries should be.

The Two Escobars...

They were two of the most prominent faces in Columbia. Both men became fairly well known figures around the globe. Two very different men with the same name, both raised in the vast poverty of the Colombian slums, and both with similar bloody fates.

One, Andres Escobar, the Captain of the beloved Colombian National Soccer Team. A man of integrity who was slated to play European Football for the legendary Real Madrid in Spain. The other, Pablo Escobar, the world's most notorious multi-billion dollar drug dealer of his time. Strangely enough, to the vast majority of the Colombian people, they both became national heroes. One was an honourable and inspirational athletic hero, the other gained his local reputation as a Robin Hood of sorts. While the lives of the two Escobars raised the hopes and dreams of their country to heights never seen before or since. Their deaths shook the Colombian dreams into a chaotic nightmare. This documentary is the story of how two men with the same name left a long and lasting impression not only on Columbia, but on the world.

This is an incredible story. Watch it, thank me later. ;)

9.5/10

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

Colombia USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 June 2010 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

All Rise Films, ESPN Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

104 min

Color:

Color