Satanás

As a Colombian proud of my country, I find it depressing and pathetic that most Colombian films have nothing to show but the most horrible human atrocities without any artistic purpose to back them up. Both the author of the book, on which the movie is based, and the director, demonstrate their absolute inability to reach the public without using morbid and sickening situations where human compassion or any redeeming qualities are completely inexistent. On top of the fact that the book is based on a horrifying real story that took place in Bogotá 21 years ago, the author adds upsetting characters and situations (including one of the most horrible rape scenes I have ever seen, children murdered by their own mother, child molestation, kidnapping, robbing, prostitution, street and domestic violence, etc, etc, etc.) that are made up and not connected to the real story, and fulfill no artistic purpose. The director does not use one of the most interesting qualities of cinematography, which is its capacity to "suggest" ideas or emotions, without having to show "literally" every single detail of those horrible situations. There is no artistic complexity in this film and the connections between the characters are absolutely arbitrary. I am no baby for violent or grotesque films in fact I admire and respect many movies that are very violent (say Pulp Fiction for example) because there is more to it than just the crude situations. Satanás insults my intelligence and my artistic taste, and my desire to be at awe in front of a work of art.

I saw the movie yesterday, and I was amused. Not only for the theme the movie talks about, but because in many technical aspects, is a very well done movie. Although it fails in some photographic issues ( blurs en wide shots, close ups, etc), it is pretty descent. The sound design is very well achieved. In a thematic point of view, I agree with the user that commented before me, it's a universal theme, it could happen in any place of the world. It is not only meant to be referred as a Colombian reality issue. Loneliness, evil, lust, revenge, hatred, are human emotions or feelings, that doesn't have boundaries, humans feel them. In a way, some Colombian audience may find this movie "anti-colombiana", because most of the Colombian people are used to watch shallow Colombian movies, and when reality in a way hits them, they cannot stand it and that's why movies like this one, are criticized. When a movie evokes emotions, passions and most of all, reflection, is a movie that is to be seen. Personally this movie evoked all of these in me. It's a movie to be watched.

SATANÁS is a very controlled, mature film, but not for the faint of heart. It's definitely a film to digest slowly, because it deals with such a powerful subject matter: human nature. It is a thought provoking film (it grows with you day by day) even though I can see how it polarizes audiences - some love it and some hate it (because it can be disturbing). It is undeniable that the filmmakers did a wonderful job in building up the tension; the last 30 minutes of the film are absolutely brilliant. Even though the three stories seem at first hand to be unconnected, they are not. The three characters are battling with internal demons and it is through all of them that the thesis of the film is manifested. I want to add that the cast is impressive.

I did not know anything about this movie or the book it was based on until today. My brother's former wife emailed me that me she saw a powerful Colombian movie about a ex-Vietnam vet who goes on a killing spree. Not until the end of the movie did she realize what she was watching was the murder of my cousin Roberto Montes and his girlfriend. Of course she was completely rattled.

Roberto was a wonderful young man and adored by his family. Especially since he was the only boy in the family of three sisters. He had just finished graduate school and had dreams of embarking on his career and I imagine marrying the woman he loved. Tragically the night they were killed they were celebrating their birthday which they shared.

It was a truly horrifying time and I am not sure if I will ever see the movie. We glorify the killers and forget the victims.

Lisa Ackel Judge

I just saw the world premier last night at the Miami International Film Festival with my wife. From the opening scene, I had the feeling that things were only going to get worse. This is the story of several people in Bogota, Columbia, set in the mid-1980's. It follows each of them into what I can only describe as a descent into hell, climaxing in a convergence of their worlds with an ending that will stay with viewer for a long time.

This film has a sense of realism that reminds me of other films such as Amores Perros and City of God (Cidade de Deus). There are some very graphic scenes of violence and there may be some who are offended, as it decidedly breaks many taboos. The name is Satanás, meaning Satan, so do not delude yourself into thinking there are any high or happy moments. The tagline reads 'Every city has its demons'; believe it.

In spite of it's dark subject matter, the film is still very effective. There are some weaknesses, mostly from a technical standpoint, but the story is strong enough to make up for these. The other weakness is that the film rambles on for a while, so the viewer is not quite sure where the story is going, or even if it is going to end abruptly. But the director and writer had a purpose, and that is to bring us to the end. The climax brings everything into strong focus, and you see that the rambling is, in effect, the build-up.

I believe this film has universal appeal. This film could have been shot in any major city in the world. In fact, the director did such a good job in filming this, that I forgot where the movie was taking place. I gave it the highest vote in the audience award, and this film deserves to win it.