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American Visa

  • 2005
  • R
  • 1h 40m
IMDb RATING
6.1/10
549
YOUR RATING
American Visa (2005)
Feel-Good RomanceHeistPolitical DramaCrimeDramaRomance

After being denied an American visa, a Bolivian professor becomes involved in a web of criminal activities, holds-up the American consulate and falls for a beautiful prostitute from the Boli... Read allAfter being denied an American visa, a Bolivian professor becomes involved in a web of criminal activities, holds-up the American consulate and falls for a beautiful prostitute from the Bolivian lowlands.After being denied an American visa, a Bolivian professor becomes involved in a web of criminal activities, holds-up the American consulate and falls for a beautiful prostitute from the Bolivian lowlands.

  • Director
    • Juan Carlos Valdivia
  • Writers
    • Juan Recacoechea
    • Juan Carlos Valdivia
    • Juan de Recacochea
  • Stars
    • Demián Bichir
    • Kate del Castillo
    • Alberto Etcheverry
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.1/10
    549
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Juan Carlos Valdivia
    • Writers
      • Juan Recacoechea
      • Juan Carlos Valdivia
      • Juan de Recacochea
    • Stars
      • Demián Bichir
      • Kate del Castillo
      • Alberto Etcheverry
    • 11User reviews
    • 3Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 3 wins & 5 nominations total

    Photos6

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    Top cast39

    Edit
    Demián Bichir
    Demián Bichir
    • Professor Mario Alvarez
    • (as Demian Bichir)
    Kate del Castillo
    Kate del Castillo
    • Blanca
    Alberto Etcheverry
    • Don Antonio
    Roberto Barbery
    • Alfonso
    • (as Roberto Barberi)
    Jorge Ortiz Sánchez
    • Ballon
    • (as Jorge Ortiz)
    Claudia Lobo
    Claudia Lobo
    • Norah
    Alejandra Lanza
    • Isabel
    Raul Gomez
    • Senador Sanchez
    Vivian Colombo
    • Arminda (Gold Seller)
    Hugo Pozo
    • Severo
    Fred Nuñez
    • Cabral
    John Mark Byers
    John Mark Byers
    • American Consul
    Cacho Mendieta
    • Don Ambrosio
    Lalo Valdivia
    • Salon Customer
    Eliana Siles
    • Doña Esther
    Marcelino Quispe
    • Yatiri
    Claudia Coronel
    • Tipa calle Embajada
    Carlos Morales
    • Vice Consul
    • Director
      • Juan Carlos Valdivia
    • Writers
      • Juan Recacoechea
      • Juan Carlos Valdivia
      • Juan de Recacochea
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews11

    6.1549
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    Featured reviews

    7caisamoreno

    If you like Latin American movies

    Yes, it is one of the best Bolivian movies from latest years among "La Nación Clandestina" (The clandestine nation) and "Cuestión De Fe" (A matter of faith)... The subject is simple, yet honest: how does a humble English professor tries to get an American Visa... it seems to be that living out of his own but hopeless country is a better option. Narration is full of details and scenes that speak by themselves. So, I think it's a quite realistic portrait of nowadays' life in Latin America, and also of the way a lot of Latin American people think, focusing in some particularities of Bolivian society. It's worth to see it, specially because it holds a neutral and somehow natural point of view of the chaos surrounding the main character, a quality that ain't normally achieved in Latin movies. Even the "cholitas" acting as extras are perfectly placed in the narration. It doesn't seem a bad election to me that the main characters were Mexican, in fact, they do have an excellent performance, and that's enough reason for them to be there. The silly scenes? To me, some pink romantic scenes, although a lot of pals liked them.
    7Ceck

    Sweet sights of La Paz

    I honestly don't see many bolivian movies 'couse they have a bad marketing campaign. This one called my attention since I've heard many good comments about the photography. The script is easy going, no big complications a story like many others in this country. It's refreshing seeing Damian Bichir playing the role of a bolivian (he even got many of the expressions we use around here) and it's even more surprising watch Kate del Castillo talking in a "camba" accent, some times it's quite hard for her to keep it...but being a Mexican and now talking as a "camba"...good work.

    It has a front critic to our political system and the way we are manipulated by the north country. I'm proud the sound, the image and the story of this film are much much better than the last bolivian movie I've seen "El Atraco".
    7alezannier

    Very close to reality

    I liked this movie, I haven't seen many national films, but the ones I've seen haven't been very good or real. This one on the other hand, I believe, reflects very well reality. I've been there... asking for an American Visa and even though I only wanted to visit the country I did feel like they were treating me as a criminal, and I know many stories of people who are desperate for getting a Visa. The actors did a very good job, and I appreciate the effort they put into the accents even though they weren't perfect. It was a simple storyline, but sometimes that works in movies. The characters were very believable and it was easy to relate to them.
    1Vivamovies

    Wasting time!!!

    Nothing really worthy but the photography. I believe this is a good effort for the Mexican movie-making industry but unfortunately Demian Bichir's performance is just like his other movies: A MAJOR FAILURE!! The movie was expected to succeeded in Theather in Mexico because Demian and Kate's relationship but to be true, this movie has nothing but a good photography. The adaptation is poor and the performances are a major disgrace!. Someone supposes that Demian Bichir is a good actor and all his movies will work, but you can check that out and you'll find that since he thinks that he's the best Mexican actor, all his movies have failed. A shame for the production companies, and we're in the right way for making an industry!. Keep on!!!
    9samuel-torrez

    Great movie, a must see for Latinos.

    Great movie, very real. I gave it a 9 out of 10 because I could tell how Kate Del Castillo was faking the "camba" accent sometimes, however Demian Bichir was a truly "paceño." I had no idea he was Mexican, I thought he was Bolivian. I was surprised seeing Kate Del Castillo, I have seen her in many "telenovelas" before, but is the first time I see her in a movie. Anyways they were both really good. Great story and very real, even "las cholitas"...wow. La Paz was beautiful, I was impressed by how well the images of the city were captured, made me feel back home. The American embassy part was great, I remember seeing how people got rejected the same way, very real. Also the name of the bodyguard, Severo, great choice. Again the scenes of La Paz were amazing, I recommend to watch this movie, and is a must for Bolivians.

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    Storyline

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    Did you know

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    • Trivia
      Official Selection (Bolivia) for Academy Award Foreign film (2007)

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    Details

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    • Release date
      • October 21, 2005 (Mexico)
    • Countries of origin
      • Bolivia
      • Mexico
    • Official site
      • Official site (Mexico)
    • Languages
      • Spanish
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Американская виза
    • Filming locations
      • Bustillo de Potosí Province, Bolivia
    • Production companies
      • Instituto Mexicano de Cinematografía (IMCINE)
      • Oscar Quintela
      • Producciones X Marca
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

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    • Budget
      • $1,000,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 40 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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