The Wind Journeys

In short: Incomprehensible quest. Same applies to the ending.

Nevertheless, the movie is entertaining throughout and never boring. It shows customs and traditions that may seem alien to us here (NL), but were never unrealistic.

The accordion is not my favorite musical instrument, but that did not hinder me in appreciating the scenes and how they develop in time.

I must admire the younger main character for the trouble he takes to attempt rescuing his older counterpart in the movie. His undertakings seem unreal, and are certainly asking for trouble.

From half way the movie I was definitely missing the logic in the storyline, and was surprised how the story ends too.

I'm a frequent visitor to Colombian's northern coast and this film shows this region very well.

By the film's title and subject, I was not expecting an action film, I knew it would move slow. Maybe because of my low expectations I found this film truly wonderful! The film shows the great variety of the region and its people. The different languages and accents. The mountain and river scenes were great. The regions of Magdalena, César and Guajira are beautifully depicted.

The story was good enough for me. I liked the questions that are left unanswered. But clearly, for me, the scenery more than carried this film.

A beautiful film that is in no hurry to unfold (and it shouldn't be because "being in a hurry" is not something the people in the movie seem to feel). Life is not easy here (you can see this etched into every character's face) but you persevere and along the way you look for, and create, beauty and kindness. I love the way the camera often moves backward, showing the characters moving from one environment into the next (they know where they're headed but we don't. The expressions on Fermin's face at the end are a complex wonder to behold (and a great topic for discussion afterward). If you are looking for an anxiety-inducing, misanthropic action-thriller then keep looking. If you want to see a poetic gem made by people who clearly see beauty in the world and know how to help us see it too, then settle down and enjoy "The Wind Journeys".

I expected to see a journey across Colombia's diverse geographical and cultural landscapes...and I was not disappointed. And as a second-language Spanish learner, I wanted to hear authentic Colombian Spanish...and I did. In fact, "The Wind Journeys" is a very well filmed journey across Colombia; I could see it winning an award for best cinematography. But the story about the current owner of the devil's accordion who, after the death of his wife vows to never play again, embarks on a journey to return the instrument to its rightful owner, including the ending, just didn't click for me.

Perhaps the times they are a changing, or maybe I've changed. I think in the 1980s, when I was 30 years younger, full of enthusiasm to travel the world and learn about exotic cultures, reading novels by García Márquez and more hopeful about life in general, I would have liked "The Wind Journeys" a lot more, or I would have just enjoyed watching it without caring if I bought the premise.

The premise of "The Wind Journeys" isn't as ridiculous as that of "Central Station" (another beautifully filmed and culturally-interesting story but which is based on a ludicrous premise). Yet even without the ongoing violence of the drug lords or the 40+ years of the ongoing FARC rebellion simmering in the background, the Colombia we see in "The Wind Journeys" is a violent, cruel, macho place where it's hard for me to have sympathy for anyone...because what good would that do? In spite of the great filming technique, this is not the Colombia of magical realism, this is the Colombia where a bit of hope swims hopelessly in a sea of hopelessness.

Mark Twain wrote that readers of romantic novels should love the good people, hate the bad people, and always be able to tell the two apart. I guess the two protagonists are the "good" guys in a world of "bad" guys, but I just didn't find myself caring deeply about their fates. Having said that, I would recommend this film for my hardcore Southamericanophile friends who want to see the wondrous and horrible beauty of Colombia. But I'm glad I didn't make my wife go with me to see this film at our local art-house theatre. In fact, I may go out and rent "La triste e increíble historia de la cándida Eréndira y su abuela desalmada" to cheer myself up, or maybe I'll put on my favorite Carlos Vives CD. Yeah, that's what I'll do.

Different to the classic Colombian movies. A journey throw the diversity of the Caribbean cost of Colombia, its people and its music.

Refreshing and well made.

It is very interesting that the lead actor is actually a well known Valletano singer. His songs a lot more popular than his funny name: Marciano.

The selection of songs along the movie is perfect. Traditional Vallenatos that this movie will always help to remember.

Ciro Guerra, the director, is making a great effort to show people around the world the most beautiful and forgotten places of the north region of Colombia.