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NAVAS DEBUTS “BLOOD AND RAIN” IN SUNNY VENICE
12/09/2009
The successful, sixth edition of Venice Days closed today with the yet another world premiere of a debut feature, Blood and Rain, by young Colombian filmmaker Jorge Navas. At the screening’s Q&A, reference was made to the film’s similarities with Michael Mann’s Collateral. However, Navas said he had never seen any of Mann’s work until after this film was completed, adding that he has always been inspired by the works of Abel Ferrara, David Lynch and Andrei Tarkovsky.
The latter’s influence can be felt in this slow-paced but incredibly dense story that takes place in one rainy, blood-filled night in Bogotá, and brings together coke addict Angela (Gloria Montoya, in a stunning acting debut) and taxi driver Jorge (accomplished theatre actor Quique Mendoza and Montaya’s real-life husband).
When asked if the film also had a political message, Navas said it did. “Colombia is a beautiful country that has many problems with violence, which Colombians almost don’t want to admit anymore,” he explained “Thus, I wanted to provoke people a little, and reflect my society, but from a more intimate point of view. As for foreigners, how many people have actually seen a Colombian film that speaks honestly about the real violence in the country?”
In keeping with this realistic approach, Jorge’s character is based on the numerous paramilitary soldiers that have been transferred from Colombia’s countryside to its cities, most often given jobs as taxi drivers in the worst neighbourhoods. This has escalated drug trafficking and violence in areas already struggling under the deadly weight of both.
Blood and Rain was developed and co-written with Alizé Le Maout, who met Navas over seven years ago, at a workshop in which she participated as a script doctor. Montoya was the first to read the first draft at the time, and through her Mendoza eventually came on board.
Both husband and wife said they were proud to have been part of the film, and to have helped each other develop their characters. There are other debut actors in the film, including Weimar Delgado, also on the Lido to present the film. A shopkeeper and closet thespian, Delgado moreover introduced Navas to various people on the harsh streets of Bogotá around his store.
He summed up the feelings of the film’s entire delegation when he closed the Q&A with: “Being in Venice is an incredible experience for me, as an actor and as a person, and a real dream come true. Viva Colombia!”
The $1m film is being released domestically on October 30 by Cine Colombia and is handled internationally by France’s Rezo Films.
In the Photogallery (left), pictures from the presentation in Venice
Report by Natasha Senjanovic for
www.cineuropa.org
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