The best films about the Colombian mafia

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

Ask the average person what they know about Colombia, and the first thing they think of is that there is a mafia in this country. A stereotype has taken root in the public mind of people around the world, in which Colombia and the mafia are inextricably linked. Of course, in reality this is far from being the case, but the influence of organized crime on the political, economic and social life of the state is still great.

Historical digression

The Colombian mafia is one of the largest producers and exporters of cocaine, the criminal business and in the 21st century, despite the efforts of the Colombian authorities, is developing quite successfully. Colombian drug lords earn huge fortunes, which allows them to be considered the most powerful and dangerous people. The Colombian mafia began its existence as an organization in the mid-60s of the last century, in the 70s the drug market began to expand rapidly, which allowed drug dealers to form a number of drug cartels. Among themThe most powerful are the Medellin and Cali cartels. The theme of the activities of the criminal world, which specializes in the production and distribution of cocaine, has been repeatedly addressed by filmmakers from different countries, highlighting in their works the features of the illegal business or its "leaders".

We say "Colombian mafia", we mean "Pablo Escobar"

Colombian drug lord and, oddly enough, politician Pablo Emilio Escobar Gaviria made a fabulous fortune in the drug business. Forbes magazine back in 1989 estimated his income at $3 billion. He went down in history as one of the most famous and brutal criminals of the past century, not only in Colombia, but throughout the world. Despite the fact that he killed policemen, judges, prosecutors, journalists, personally executed his victims, shot down civilian aircraft, Escobar was extremely popular among the poor and especially young people. The image of a cruel drug lord was reflected in the cinema. The list of films about the Colombian mafia presented in this publication is more or less connected with his personality.

Documentary tapes

Pablo Escobar is dedicated not only to feature films. A great many documentary projects have been filmed about the Colombian mafia. Among them, the most interesting are rightfully considered:

• "Pablo Escobar - King of Cocaine" (1998) by Steven Dupler;
• Hunting for Pablo Escobar (2007) by National Geographic Channel;
• Pablo Escobar's Hippos (2010) directed by Antonio von Hildebrand;
• "Who killed Pablo Escobar?" (2013), directed by George Levin.

Featured films about the Colombian mafia depict the events that took place quite realistically. In the list, the film "Cocaine" takes the first position, as it is the first Hollywood attempt to create a "big movie" about "quick money".

Cocaine (2001)

For Hollywood, the cocaine theme is rather slippery. Ted Demm, having started production of the tape based on the book by Bruce Porter, immediately covered himself with political correctness. The story is based on the life story of the largest drug dealer George Young, so the picture is essentially autobiographical. The protagonist is a frankly negative character, a notorious villain. But starring Johnny Depp, in a duet with Penelope Cruz, play with such inspiration that one cannot but sympathize with their heroes.

In some episodes, the film shocks by the simplicity of demonstrating the most difficult morally the actions of key actors and their power of influence on others. The director developed the idea of his masterpiece for six years, he repeatedly met with the real George Young, consulted on a number of issues about the structure of the Colombian mafia. Photos provided by Young served as an additional source of inspiration for him. By the way, this project was the last in the filmography of the director. In 2002, he died suddenly at the age of 38. The official cause of death isheart attack, but there were rumors that cocaine was to blame.

Paradise Lost (2014)

The list of pictures will continue with the drama of the Italian director Andrea Di Stefano "Paradise Lost", in which the Colombian mafia directly appears. The film is made using facts about the life of Pablo Escobar. A directorial debut can grab the audience's attention for at least two reasons. The first - the main roles in the project are played by Benicio Del Toro and Josh Hutcherson, the second - their characters are very entertaining, and the story is curious. Of course, the biography of Pablo Escobar is known to many, but Andrea Di Stefano offers to look at him from the inside, even the local side. The cinematographer wraps an international story with a lot of aggravating circumstances into a targeted psychological drama, but retains the defining moments of the events of the last year of Escobar's life. The skill of Benicio Del Toro doubles what is happening on the screen. Events are far from lubok pictures, the Colombian mafia is depicted realistically, the narration is dynamic, the tension does not subside until the very end. The existing flaws do not spoil the viewing experience, the viewer manages to feel the atmosphere, experience excitement for the main character and ask the question: is there a paradise on Earth?

Narco (2015)

In 2015, Netflix launched a series about the Colombian mafia Narcos. The first and second seasons of the show focus on the criminal life of Pablo Escobar. The viewer will be shown how he first ran away from the police in slippers and with marijuana in his backpack, andyears later he was transporting cocaine in containers. One of the most interesting and exciting lines of the project is the pursuit of a daring drug dealer. Critical praise was awarded to the lead actor Wagner Moura, who never succumbed to the most banal clichés inherent in the image of a drug lord. The creators provide two parallels for the public to judge: the investigation of the DEA with the hunt for Escobar and the point of view of Pablo himself with progressive ambitions, ruthlessness and power. The series is superbly rendered and has the highest IMDb rating of 8.80.

And in the American series "Handsome" (2004-2011), the key character Vincent Chase (Adrian Grenier), according to the plot, an actor trying to realize himself in Hollywood, plays a major role in the movie "Medellin", based on - also the story of Escobar's life.

"Undercover Scam" (2016)

The real events underlying the "Undercover Scam" scenario have long been given the status of "legend". A solid movie dedicated to the Colombian mafia, does not fall into drama and is completely devoid of inappropriate humor. The creators could not do without some moralizing, because the central characters - the "scouts" Mazur and his fictitious bride - are rubbed into the confidence of Roberto Alcaino, Escobar's confidant. The work of the leading actors in the film is worthy of all praise. Bryan Cranston is an actor with a capital letter, invariably demonstrates all the facets of his enormous talent. It is no less interesting to watch the performers of the second plan. John Leguizamo is convincing as an adrenaline addictspecial agent, Benjamin Bratt is brilliant in the role of a well-groomed drug dealer aristocrat, Amy Ryan is a real “iron lady”, and Joseph Gilgun is a natural hardened gangster. This magnificent ensemble cast gives the story the necessary charm, appeal and volume. In a movie with a running time of 127 minutes, there is not a single passing hero. Additional bonuses are added to the tape by rare cameos of significant characters, for example, a trick with Escobar.

Made in America (2017)

The work of director Doug Liman is oversimplified and exaggerated. The plot links together the CIA, drug lords, pseudo-rebels, the president's team, mid-level officials, Latin American dictators. There are many characters in the film, but it is impossible to get lost in them. Great actors and a masterfully written script made all the characters bright and memorable. Tom Cruise appears in the foreground, the tape was unlikely to be successful without a performer of his caliber, since his character is not at all a positive hero, it is not easy to sympathize with him. However, although Cruz is the soloist, he does not pull the blanket over himself.

"Made in America" is not a thriller in its usual sense, but the picture is very dynamic and dramatic, no less exciting in conversational scenes than in action scenes. Baria's protagonist deals with individuals who are to be expected to do anything, even if they smile and give a friendly pat on the back. They are the Colombian mafia.

Escobar (2017)

Bulgarian-Spanish biographical drama by Fernando Leon De Aranoa Escobar is also a biopic about the legendary Colombian drug lord. The script is based on the book I Love Pablo, I Hate Escobar, which is a Spanish-language memoir by Virginia Vallejo herself. But the director made not a crime-romantic movie, but a crime biopic, in which the love line occupies a secondary position in comparison with the hero's confrontation with the American and local authorities. Instead of delving into the complex mental processes and attraction between a journalist and a drug dealer, the director uses Vallejo as a voice-over narrator to help the audience navigate Escobar's twisted story.

Criticism

Many critics argue that artistically, the painting is a variation on the theme of Scarface. But the Colombian flair, political intrigue and factual emphasis make the film a worthwhile work of fiction in its own right, instructive for those who hope to rule by intimidation and intimidation. It is worth noting the powerful play of the lead actor - Javier Bardem, unsurpassed in the image of a passionate, cunning and insidious criminal. The actor eclipsed Penelope Cruz, the only thing you can say about her in the movie is that she looks like a superstar from a glossy cover.