The Two Escobars (2010)

Pablo Escobar was the richest, most powerful drug kingpin in the world, ruling the Medelli­n Cartel with an iron fist. Andres Escobar was the biggest soccer star in Colombia. The two were ... See full summary »

Directors:

Jeff Zimbalist, Michael Zimbalist

Writers:

Jeff Zimbalist, Michael Zimbalist

Stars:

María Ester Escobar, Alexis García V., Jaime Gaviria Gómez

3 wins & 4 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
María Ester Escobar	...	Herself
Alexis García V.	...	Himself
Jaime Gaviria Gómez	...	Himself
Francisco Maturana	...	Himself

Storyline

Pablo Escobar was the richest, most powerful drug kingpin in the world, ruling the Medelli­n Cartel with an iron fist. Andres Escobar was the biggest soccer star in Colombia. The two were not related, but their fates were inextricably - and fatally - intertwined. Pablo's drug money had turned Andres' national team into South American champions, favored to win the 1994 World Cup in Los Angeles. It was there, in a game against the U.S., that Andres committed one of the most shocking mistakes in soccer history, scoring an "own goal" that eliminated his team from the competition and ultimately cost him his life. THE TWO ESCOBARS is a riveting examination of the intersection of sports, crime, and politics. For Colombians, soccer was far more than a game: their entire national identity rode on the success or failure of their team. Jeff and Michael Zimbalist's fast and furious documentary plays out on an ever-expanding canvas, painting a fascinating portrait of Pablo, Andres, and a country ...

---

Plot Keywords:

soccer | drugs | world cup | colombia | pablo escobar | 

---

Genres:

Documentary | Biography | Sport

---

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

Colombia

Language:

Spanish

Release Date:

27 August 2010 (USA)

Also Known As:

Два Эскобара

Filming Locations:

Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia

Box Office

Budget:

$1,000,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$14,457

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$14,457

Company Credits

Production Co:

All Rise Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

104 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1 / (high definition)

Did You Know?

Connections

References Favela Rising (2005)

User Reviews

Simply a perfect and compelling documentary

"The Two Escobars" is quite an amazing documentary telling the story behind the world wide spread news of the Colombian football-player Andres Escobar which made an own goal in the World Championships, and later was shot. Back home in Colomiba another unrelated Escobar, Pablo, was a drug-lord, with his money into the sport, on the opposite side of the Medellin-cartel.

This documentary interviews the families, players, referees and coaches, and is very interestingly made. You don't have to care about sports to have a blast watching this.

Both came from humble poor families. Pablo becomes the drug boss of Colombia. Andres a star football star and captain of the Colombian national team, and better than ever before, going all the way to becoming the 4th best in the word according to the FIFA ranking - with drug money behind, of course. Football was a great was of money laundry. In the 1994 World Cup in the US, Colombia is therefore one of the favorites to win the whole shebang.

This film is sports, poverty, money, drugs, politics, emotions, killing and international history all in one - all in a true story. The film is full of compelling footage, both open and secretly made by surveillance-cameras and overflying spy-planes.

I've read that this was originally released as a part of the ESPN 30 For 30 series of sports documentaries, but this is far more interesting than that.

There's no doubt that the drug money made Colombia a great team, because they could train very well, without thinking about other things. Still it being drug money today ruins the teams great play somewhat in hindsight. Though the players were all innocent.

It is quite amazing how the film makers has got hold of all the people close to the two Escobars, like sisters, team mates, politicians, relatives and even Pablo Escobar's hit men!

It's impossible not to be fascinated by this documentary, and it makes you think about what's behind sports, all around. You really don't know, do you!?