Bastards y Diablos

I attended the premiere of Bastards y Diablos at L.A. Film Festival last night. I wasn't entirely certain what to expect but almost from the first moment the film captured my heart with every aspect, from story to acting to cinematography to score. The last film that did that is a small Scottish film called "Dear Frankie" which I first saw 10 years ago. This film has some similarities to that one - a story line based on the screenwriter's history, a strong emphasis on an absentee father, and direction and cinematography that make the country in which it was filmed (Columbia in this case) like one of the characters of the film. Until last night Columbia to me was primarily known for coffee, cocaine and cartels. But what I saw in this film was an incredibly breathtaking country with amazing, vibrant people. I was extremely touched by the story which took the estranged half-brothers to various significant places in their father's native land as per his last wishes. There is humor, love, anger and realizations of how one's father (good or bad) impacts the choices you make and the person you become. The quality of the film belies the extremely small budget on which it was made. I hope it gets a distributor, I believe it would touch many hearts as it did mine and everyone else I spoke to following the screening.

Curious as a title, Bastards y Diablos, can be summarized in two words while its the story of life, narrated in visual poetry that takes us inland, not of Colombia but of our own hearts.

Like all art, one is the original intention of whoever executed, and another is the perception of who sees it. As in life, reality surpasses imagination and still that magic that cannot be written into a scrip surfaces as little gems all across the movie.

I will not repeat all the details of the story or the resource used to express it. I invite you to see it with an open heart, and in doing so, and only doing so, the real message will be revealed to you.

I recently facilitated a pilot program, "Community Conversations," at the Ashland Independent Film Festival (AIFF). One of the "conversations" we hosted was for "Bastards y Diablos." These are not filmmaker Q & A's; these are discussions about how the film actually impacted the viewer. Participants shared their unfiltered responses very personally about how the film made them feel. It was a moving experience for all involved. Many spoke of their relationships with their fathers and their brothers, and unfinished business with their families.

I've seen the film twice. As with all good films, the second time is always better. I could really focus on the nuances of the writing and performances. It's a powerful Hero's Journey, connecting the dots of our past and coming to reconciliation.

The writing, acting, cinematography and music are all top-notch as well.

I had the joy of seeing this film at the LA Film Festival. There is a very poetic feeling to the film that weaves effortlessly between tragedy (abandoned sons, lost loves, etc.) to pure comedy (the Speedo scene comes to mind) that takes the viewer on a journey along with the brothers.

Both actors, Andrew and Dillon, are engaging and the camera seems to love them. They bring an effortless charisma, vulnerability and joy to the screen that I have not seen in way too long. They are surrounded by a cast of natural "actors" who seem to slip easily between English and Spanish further cementing the theme of the brothers who belong to two different worlds. The third main character id the country of Columbia and we get a travelogue through it's cities, ports and countryside. They said in the Q and A after the screening that this was a labor of love. You can see that in every frame. If you get a chance to see this film -do it!