Fernando, a 60-year-old gay writer, returns to the city where he grew up, Medellin in Colombia, known today as the drug capital of the world. He`s lived in exile for decades; now he`s come home to a city he doesn`t recognise, a city where gang violence erupts on the streets on a daily basis, where fireworks signal the successful shipment of more drugs across the U.S. border. Fernando begins an affair with Alexis, a street kid, and at first he is shocked by the degree of violence surrounding his young companion - but, frighteningly, violence is something you become used to.
Barbet Schroeder is one of the world`s most cosmopolitan directors; born in Iran, he spent part of his childhood living in Colombia before returning to France where he became established as a producer and director. His Hollywood films have included thrillers like Single White Female and Kiss Of Death, but nothing that would prepare you for this new film, which was shot, using a digital video camera, on the dangerous streets of Medellin. The authenticity and immediacy of this chilling story give it an unequalled atmosphere; and it`s disturbing to hear that Anderson Ballesteros, who, in real life, lived much the way Alexis does in the film, went back on the streets after filming was completed. Colombian stage actor German Jaramillo lends authority to the role of the tired, resigned Fernando in this utterly real, extremely disturbing film.
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