The Two Escobars

I feel that this documentary must be praised for its openness. The lack of bias displayed by the films writer/directors must be applauded. Sure, there may be the odd thing in this film that people may question or debate. However when you consider all the happenings and parties that are involved in the events of this story. Then you can easily see that this really is an amazingly well told and open minded attempt to tell this complex and far reaching tale. People from multiple sides are given a chance to express their views, and that is exactly how documentaries should be.

The Two Escobars...

They were two of the most prominent faces in Columbia. Both men became fairly well known figures around the globe. Two very different men with the same name, both raised in the vast poverty of the Colombian slums, and both with similar bloody fates.

One, Andres Escobar, the Captain of the beloved Colombian National Soccer Team. A man of integrity who was slated to play European Football for the legendary Real Madrid in Spain. The other, Pablo Escobar, the world's most notorious multi-billion dollar drug dealer of his time. Strangely enough, to the vast majority of the Colombian people, they both became national heroes. One was an honourable and inspirational athletic hero, the other gained his local reputation as a Robin Hood of sorts. While the lives of the two Escobars raised the hopes and dreams of their country to heights never seen before or since. Their deaths shook the Colombian dreams into a chaotic nightmare. This documentary is the story of how two men with the same name left a long and lasting impression not only on Columbia, but on the world.

This is an incredible story. Watch it, thank me later. ;)

9.5/10

30 for 30: The Two Escobars (2010)

**** (out of 4)

This entry in the ESPN series is somewhat of a masterpiece even though while watching the thing you have to keep reminding yourself that it's all true and not some sort of strange fiction from Hollywood. The documentary tells the story of Colombian drug trafficker Pablo Escobar whose love for soccer had him donating money and soon various other dealers were involved in the sport. We also meet Andres Escobar, a Colombian player who in the 1994 World Cup scored a goal against his own team and soon after wards he was murdered. That just briefly sums up the story told here but it goes even further as Pablo is buying off the government to continue his trade but when he's killed, the underworld pretty much went wild, which could have been one of the reasons why Andres was allowed to be killed. This documentary runs just under two-hours and it's some of the most amazing and downright sad images you're likely to see. Learning how the drug trade pretty much took over the sport and then eventually brought it down. While watching this film it was hard to believe that all of this took place such a short time ago and the fact that this own goal was scored against the U.S.. Directors Jeff and Michael Zimbalist do a terrific job at building an incredibly tense atmosphere that is constantly flowing throughout the film. They really make you feel uneasy while watching these events so you can imagine how horrid it must have been for the players and coaches. The film does a very good job at telling all sides of the story. To some poor people Pablo was seen as a God-like person even though he was killing hundreds of people. Seeing how evil someone could be but at the same time he probably saved thousands by building them homes, keeping food on their table and by making jobs for them. With Andres, reports would vary about what really caused his death but the site of sports players going around with death threats and bodyguards is certainly something you don't see everyday. The amount of danger they were dealing with makes for some pretty big revelations towards the end of the movie. Once again ESPN must be given a lot of credit for playing this movie uncut as it does features some very risky subject matter and contains some bloody images of the death surrounding these events. The film is in Spanish with English subtitles, which was another brave move by ESPN but once again this series pays off.

The first hour and a half detailed the ascent of Colombian soccer and the link to Pablo Escobar and the other drug lords. Then the last half hour is a whole lot of people talking about how their lives were adversely affected by Pablo Escobar death highlighted by two individuals both wearing costumes, but very different costumes. The first costumed individual would be really easy to guess not by name but by what they are wearing prison jumpsuit. Pablos murdering "right hand man" who admits to killing hundreds of people with his bare hands and thousands more with gun and bombs placed in building and on planes for the sole purpose of ending Colombia's extradition treaty with the US the second costumed individual was Pablos sister and her costume was that of a very wealthy incredibly well dressed with vey expensive jewelry and strangely I have a much bigger problem with her than the strangling mad bomber psychopath. The psychopath says exactly what you'd expect "the government" was as bad as they are throwing in that they were in league with the other cartels. The sister first claims, like every criminals family who has lived that they had no idea where the money came from then after she knows where the money comes from goes on TV the day Pablo pays for his (and her) opulence she vows that his death won't end the violence inciting murder the kidnapping of family members of those who opposed and facilitated his justified end. Andres Escobar was a hero his whole life never once hurting anyone and at one point he risked death by refusing to go to the prison when summoned by Pablo. Unfortunately the story of Andres life is such a small part of this which is immediately overshadowed by the rest of the corrupt individuals saying whoa is me including the former president of Colombian soccer who went to prison for helping launder billions of dollars in drug money who claims he is a victim when he help to facilitate murder on an enormous scale. This plays fast and loose with the facts and try's to turn the US government as bad because of the role they played in riding the world of the evil of the "Two Escobars." If you don't want to be on the verge of puking with disgust at very selfish people claiming they are victims when they helped victimize other stop watching after the video of Andres Escobar is shown.

This fascinating documentary was made as part of ESPN's 30 for 30 series and highlights the rise of soccer in Colombia in the 1980s. Naturally, the infusion of drug money helped build the teams and drug kingpin Pablo Escobar got behind the National team. The other Escobar in the story is Andrés Escobar, a middle class kid who grew up to be the captain of this team. Soccer fans take their sport VERY seriously and this film showcases that. There are quite a few shocking things that happen to the team as they made their way to the World Cup in the United States in 1994 that will make cringe. Directors Jeff & Michael Zimbalist use tons of old footage and seamlessly bounce from the war on drugs to the wars on the soccer fields. Now when you get me to care about soccer, you know you've done something right.

I went to watch this documentary full of apprehension, I had to try and summon the courage to face some old demons. This story for me was personal on many levels. I am Colombian; I grew up in Medellín in the 1980s. I went to school with Andrés Escobar's fiancé. And I was at the Rose Bowl in 1994, when Andrés scored the infamous "auto-goal" in a failed attempt to prevent the ball from going into the net. As I drove to the theater last week, I could feel my emotions gathering up in my chest, and old forgotten wounds felt suddenly brand new. I've tried very hard not to think of that day in June of 1994, but I remember it well. Even though the disappointment was palpable, there was no shame in our defeat. I was proud of our team! It was difficult to feel proud of anything Colombian in those days. Perhaps it was fortunate that I didn't yet know of the insurmountable amount of shame that would fall upon all of us a few days later, on the day Andrés was killed.

I've lived in the U.S. for over 25 years now, and I've learned to suppress pain and anger when both strangers and friends make "funny" drug related comments in my presence. Few non- Colombians have been able to grasp the magnitude of the damage Andrés' senseless murder caused. It wasn't about "bad sportsmanship". This was more than another black mark on our well-tarnished national image. The death of Andrés branded all Colombians as savages, it vanished the role models of millions. It stole the hope of an entire nation. It made us all infamous!

The Two Escobars utterly surprised me. Although the title might suggest an emphasis on the similarities of these two men, it really highlights the vast difference in their moral fiber. Two young American brothers were able to weave this documentary, that eloquently expresses what an entire nation hadn't been able to verbalize in over a decade. The Zimbaslist brothers didn't tell us what happened. They showed us what happened using Colombian footage, using our own words, interviewing the surviving protagonists—villains, heroes, and victims alike. The documentary is well balanced. They not only show the horror of what we Colombians have lived through, but also how far we've come. I am so immensely grateful for this film, and to Michael and Jeff Zimbalist for their commitment to tell a story that wasn't their own. I want to dare everybody I know to go see it, not because it paints my compatriots in a good light, but simply because it is honest and enlightening, and I hope it shatters some tiresome stereotypes. It's important to remember that every time we label something or someone based on a generalization, we betray our own ignorance. Every story has a Pablo Escobar—a despicable characters that makes headline news—but fortunately every story also has someone like Andrés Escobar.