Ultimate Best Spy Movies Of All Time | A Top 10
Ultimate Best Spy Movies Of All Time | A Top 10 Recently, I wrote about ‘The Lives of Others’ in the best war movies , and naturally,
In my introductions of North American and South American movies, like Argentinian movies, Mexican movies, and Brazilian movies, I have extensively written about these countries’ socio-political past.
And how the past continues to define the present even if the people of these countries try to unshackle the past. You can read more about how the socio-political past is a prominent movie theme in South American cinema.
But what about Colombian movies? How does Colombian cinema fare against neighbouring countries? Although many people assume Colombian cinema is non-existent, the reality is otherwise. It exists in the shadows and occasionally produces gems of movies about Colombia.
There’s a reason it existed in the shadows. Unlike other world cinema, Colombian cinema was troubled by the internal turmoils of the 1970s and 1980s. Not to mention drug lords like Pablo Escobar and the Cali Cartel of those years.
It was only from the 1990s onwards that Colombian movies have garnered attention. Many movies from the 1990s, such as La estrategia del caracol and La vendedora de rosas, have made a name for Colombian cinema.
The 21st-century Colombian movies are equally great, but I won’t spill the beans here.
Instead, I will write about them to show you how movies about Colombia are unique in terms of subject matter. Let’s begin!
The Embrace of the Serpent is a visually stunning Colombian movie based on the travel diaries of two explorers; German ethnographer Theodor Koch-Grünberg and American botanist Richard Evans Schultes. (They are mentioned in the book Tales of a Shaman’s Apprentice in the best books of 2020).
The two men are looking for the same thing, the medicinal plant yakruna, but for different reasons. Theo falls ill during the trip and needs the plant to heal. Meanwhile, Richard is trying to follow in Theo’s footsteps to find the rare plant that is now (30 years later) rare.
Aside from the route, they also have a shaman named Karamakate, who’s their guide. Through Karamakate’s recollections, we see how the Amazon jungle has changed at the hands of scientists, missionaries, and rubber barons.
The interactions between Theo and Karamakate beautifully illustrate the contrast and paradox of ‘advancement.’ At one point, Theo does not want a tribe to have his compass because they’ll lose their knowledge of navigation. The shaman, in response, asks Theo who gives him the right to decide right and wrong.
The movie is full of stunning views, and adventure but the portrayal of enslavement, suppression, and deterioration of cultural heritage is what makes it one of the unique movies about Colombia.
The movie’s subtle discussion of complex social issues makes this one of the best Colombian movies. The movie was also nominated for the Best Foreign Language Film of the Year in 2016.
You can watch the movie on Amazon Prime.
La Cara Oculta is a gripping psychological thriller that will keep you on the edge. The movie is directed by Andrés Baiz and is about love, betrayal, and the dark secrets that relationships carry. Its suspenseful narrative and unexpected twists make it one of the best Colombian movies.
The young Spanish orchestra conductor Adrián receives a video message from his girlfriend telling him she wants to break up. And guess what? Shortly after, his girlfriend disappears. The police bring in Adrián as the main suspect but can’t find any proof to arrest him.
Because of everything that happened, Adrián starts spending his nights in a bar. He develops a romantic relationship with the barmaid Fabiana and the two move in together. Although happy to be with her new lover, Fabiana feels uneasy in the house that belonged to Adrían and his ex-girlfriend.
She hears strange noises and starts to suspect the house is haunted. Can it be that the ghost of Adrián’s ex-lover is jealous of his new partner? Fabiana decides to investigate further, and the truth slowly unfolds. There’s also a Uzbek version of the movie, Öteki Taraf, which was released in 2017.
There’s also a somewhat similar movie, Anatomy of a Fall, when the husband dies mysteriously and the wife is accused of murder. I cover that French movie in the best movies of 2023.
Los Viajes del Viento is the second film by the same director Ciro Guerra in our movies about Colombia list. Ciro is a renowned Colombian filmmaker famous for his unique storytelling and cinematic exploration of Colombia.
The movie follows Ignacio Carrillo, played by the real-life vallenato musician Marciano Martínez, a jugular from Majagual (Sucre) who plays the accordion. The story goes that the instrument is cursed after its former master won a duel with the devil. Ignacio is tired of a musician’s nomadic lifestyle and returns to the accordion to lift the curse.
He embarks on a journey and is joined by Fermín, a young boy who hopes to become a musician one day. Through the Caribbean region in Northern Colombia, the two travel from their village to Taroa (in the La Guajira Desert).
With their expedition, we also see Colombia’s stunning landscapes and experience regional traditions. The highlight of the movie, apart from the returning expedition, is Carrillo participating in the Vallenato Legend Festival in Valledupar (a traditional version of a rap battle).
The Wind Journeys presents the viewer with a beautiful pallet of cultural diversity from the director’s birth region. It is even more astonishing that the protagonists had no former acting experience. The movie remains one of the best Colombian movies for its expedition out in the wild.
The Colors of the Mountain is one of the best Colombian movies set in a rural village in Colombia. It explores the innocent yet turbulent lives of children caught in the crossfire of the country’s ongoing conflict. With its narrative, the movie is a lesson of resilience amid adversity. The film was also Colombia’s official entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 84th Academy Awards.
Manuel is a young boy with a passion for soccer. He loves playing the sport with his friends, Julian and Poca Luz. One day, their soccer ball accidentally lands in a minefield, which becomes a central metaphor for the dangers in their surroundings. Eventually, the children devise plans to retrieve the ball.
However, there’s also trouble brewing. Their village is caught between guerrilla forces and the military. Manuel’s father, Ernesto, tries to protect his family and is torn between whether to stay in their village or flee for safety. The children’s quest for their soccer ball becomes intertwined with the broader narrative of survival.
The Colors of the Mountain brilliantly captures the coming of age of children torn between conflict. If you like to explore more about how children struggle when growing, you can check coming of age movies. Also, if you also like soccer like Manuel, don’t forget to check my best soccer books post.
Maria Full of Grace is a critically acclaimed and one of the best movies about Colombia directed by Joshua Marston. The film digs deep into the world of drug trafficking through the eyes of a young Colombian woman.
The limelight of the movie is Catalina Sandino Moreno, who plays a pregnant Maria Alvarez. For her acting, she was nominated for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role at the Oscars in 2005.
Maria Alvarez is a 17-year-old girl who works in a flower plantation in rural Colombia. She is seeking a way out, as she struggles with her job and the financial pressures on her family.
She finds an opportunity in Franklin, a stranger who offers her a lucrative but dangerous job as a drug mule.
Desperate for a better life, Maria agrees to swallow 62 pellets of heroin and smuggle them into the United States. However, her journey is full of uncertainties. During her trip, she befriends two other drug mules, Blanca and Lucy. Their journey together exposes her to the brutal realities of the drug trade, full of life-threatening risks.
The moving of children, teenagers, and older people from North or South America to America for better prospects is not entirely unheard of. I recently covered, Lost Children Archive in Mexican books.
The Rose Seller is one of the rawest movies in Colombia directed by Víctor Gaviria. The film is known for its realistic portrayal of life on the streets of Medellín. Gaviria is renowned for his neorealist style, just like Abbas Kiarostami behind the best Iranian movies. He also uses non-professional actors to bring authenticity to Colombian movies.
The story follows 13-year-old Monica, who sells roses on the streets to survive. Monica’s life is fraught with challenges, as street life is not kind. Her interactions with other street children, also going through poverty, highlight the harsh realities of Colombia’s urban poor. Despite her circumstances, Monica dreams of a better future, enjoying little moments of joy.
Things, however, turn bleak for Monica. She becomes entangled in drug use and petty crime. Her friendship with Andrea and their shared suffering and yearning for a way out make this one of the unique films about Colombia.
It may come as a surprise to you that 9 out of 17 cast members died violent deaths. That’s how life can be when streets are not kind. However, one should still find a way to live for another day, and the day after. And our next movie The Strategy of the Snail exactly teaches that, which is one of the best Colombian movies of the 1990s.
The Strategy of the Snail is a remarkable work of the Colombian film industry. This satirical drama blends humour and social commentary to explore themes of resistance and community solidarity in the face of injustice.
The plot revolves around the tenants of an old, decrepit building facing eviction by a wealthy landlord. Jacinto, a resident, gathers fellow residents to devise a plan to save their homes.
Their strategy, inspired by the slow but steady progress of a snail, involves dismantling and secretly moving the entire building to a new location.
As the tenants work on their ambitious project, we experience their personal stories and the strong sense of community that unites them. Their efforts are not without challenges, as there are also bureaucratic obstacles and the constant threat of discovery by the landlord.
The movie’s portrayal of the socio-economic struggles of ordinary people and their unity makes this one of the great films about Colombia. You can watch The Strategy of the Snail on Mubi.
There’s another somewhat absurd and of the best French movies, Delicatessen. Clapet, a butcher and landlord of a building, butchers people and sells them to the apartment’s residents at low prices.
Ciro y yo is a deeply personal documentary directed by Colombian filmmaker Miguel Salazar. The documentary chronicles the life of Ciro Galindo, a man who has lived under the relentless violence of Colombia’s armed conflict and illegal drug trade.
The documentary follows Ciro Galindo’s life, starting from his childhood in rural Colombia to his struggles as an adult. And, how the decades-long conflict affects Ciro and his family. They endure displacement, personal loss, and constant threats to their safety.
Despite these hardships, Ciro remains resilient, embodying the strength of Colombians affected by the war. Throughout the documentary, Salazar intertwines his own narrative with Ciro’s to reflect on their friendship.
It’s Ciro’s attempts that make this work one of the best Colombian movies. Despite everything, he tries to rebuild his life amid ongoing violence to find peace and stability. You can watch the movie on Amazon Prime.
Monos is a critically acclaimed and one of the best Colombian films directed by Alejandro Landes. This intense and visually striking movie puts survival, youth, and the consequences of war at the centre stage. The movie is set against the backdrop of the remote mountains and the dense jungles of Colombia.
The movie is about teenage commandos, known as the Monos, who are stationed on a remote mountaintop. These young soldiers are tasked with guarding a kidnapped American engineer, referred to as “Doctora.” The group’s order starts to crumble when they are forced to relocate to the dense jungle.
As the story progresses, the Monos’ mission spirals out of control, leading to violence. The isolation and psychological pressure of their situation reveal the primal instincts of the young soldiers. How they descend into savagery while still of an innocent age, makes this one of the eerie movies in Colombia.
Colombia is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world, as it is home to an astounding 10% of all the Earth’s plant and animal species. Its forests are bigger than France and they store more carbon than Italy has emitted since the Industrial Revolution.
Surely, then, we should include a movie or documentary that celebrates Colombia’s biodiversity, right?
The answer is Colombia Magia Salvaje.
Colombia: Magia Salvaje is a breathtaking documentary directed by Mike Slee. This visually stunning film takes viewers through Colombia’s diverse and spectacular natural landscapes. From the Andes mountains to the Amazon rainforest, the film captures the extraordinary beauty of Colombia’s wild places.
Its panoramic exploration of Colombia’s natural habitats makes this one of the great films about Colombia. It features over 20 unique ecosystems to highlight the relationships between the country’s flora and fauna. We also experience the majestic condors, playful river otters, elusive jaguars, and the rare Andean bear.
The great thing about the movie is that it celebrates biodiversity with caution and warning. The film addresses issues such as deforestation, pollution, and climate change, as threats to Colombia’s biodiversity. The final lesson is the emphasis on the urgent need for conservation efforts.
Are you planning to visit the Colombian nature? Consider learning some basic A1 Spanish.
As I discussed earlier, Ciro Guerra is one of the most successful directors to put Colombian movies on the international stage. Despite financial limitations and a lack of support, Ciro has produced stunning works like The Embrace of the Serpent and The Wind Journeys.
His movies are adventurous and mysterious and feature many indigenous tribes. These three elements can also be found in his other works.
If you already watched his two movies above, I suggest checking out the Netflix series Frontera Verde, featuring one of the important actors from The Embrace of the Serpent, and his film Pájaros de Verano.
Frontera Verde is a mini-series about two detectives investigating the mysterious death of 4 young girls in the Amazon jungle. The series stars some of the same actors as The Embrace of the Serpent and contains similar themes but has a higher pace and action.
Pajaros de Verano is a beautiful movie about Colombia that is in line with his other two films. This work tells the story of a drug war, and how it destroys the lives and culture of an indigenous tribe.
Colombia may not have made it far into the FIFA World Cups and other major soccer tournaments but its FIFA ranking tells another story. Colombia ranks 12 in FIFA, a ranking better than Germany and Mexico. So, why not celebrate a successful soccer story?
The Final Score is a Colombian drama series about sports, crime, and politics. The storyline is inspired by true events during the 1990s complex socio-political times.
It follows the rise and fall of Andrés Escobar, a talented Colombian soccer player. Escobar became a national hero during the 1994 World Cup. However, his life takes a tragic turn when he accidentally scores his own goal, which eliminates Colombia from the World Cup.
As the story unfolds, we see connections between the soccer world and the notorious Medellín drug cartel. The series exposes how drug money infiltrated the sport, with powerful drug lords like Pablo Escobar exerting influence over players and teams.
I discussed in the introduction that Colombian movies exist in the shadow of its neighbouring South American countries. That assumption may be true about the Colombian cinema of the 1990s. The reality is now different.
Colombian directors regularly release movies and TV shows, especially after the mass adoption of streaming platforms.
Another interesting aspect of Colombia that many people do not know is that the Cartagena Film Festival is one of the oldest film festivals in Latin America. The point is, that the best Colombian movies are not strangers or in the shadows anymore.
If you have any recommendations that I should include in the best Colombian movies list, leave a comment!
If you want to learn more about Colombia and Colombian art, also check out my interview with Colombian artist Andrés Ribón.
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