Satanás

Another spanish language masterpiece from the director Andrés Baiz, inspired by true events who keep your breath taken until the end.

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 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.

To start off with, this movie isn't for the faint of heart. This is a raw portrayal in what society has become. How some of us can be put on the outer, how we feel like we don't fit in, and what someone will do once all the frustration has come to boiling point.

This is a very scary film. Its from the perspective of three characters, whose stories ultimately intertwine in a very tragic finale. A War veteran English teacher who lives with his mother and feels like he has no purpose. A young female who works for a syndicate who specialize in robbing men at nightclubs, and a priest who is disillusioned with the life he has chosen.

None of these stories are feel good, but feel to have much more of a purpose than simply depressing the audience. Brilliant performances from the actors allow the viewer to invest time in their dilemmas, that most can relate to.

The inevitable time bomb is what makes you feel that the whole experience is tragic, but a message that can't be ignored, especially in a world where these sorts of tragedies happen far too often!

Brilliant cinema that everyone should check out!