Tropico to the Top

Most of the Peliculas de Espanol I watch are gratis from the Sacramento Public Library: an extensive collection from many countries including Peru, Colombia, Mexico and Spain. After watching a preview for Tropico de Sangre I was intrigued in both the story line and the film acting of Dominican-Puerto Rican Michelle Rodriguez, who played Ana Lucia Cortez on the television show LOST (I watched the entire series - 121 episodes - on DVD).

Tropico de Sangre is based on the true story of Minerva Mirabal and her sisters Patria, Maté and Dedé, siblings in an upper-class, well-cultured family in Salcedo, Dominicana Republica. The country was in turmoil for years under the brutal dictatorship of Rafael Trujillo, who ruled the with an iron fist until his assassination in 1961.

The film, set in the 1950’s, presents the story of how Minerva, Patria and Maté dared to stand up against the dictator, with historical nods to the era including Trujillo’s gang “The 42” and SIM, the secret police led by tormentor Johnny Abbes. Minerva Mirabal is played by Michelle Rodriguez, with support from Luchy Estevez as Patria and Sharlene Taulé as Maté; Dedé Maribal plays herself in the present-day scenes.

Although the plot is slow to start, once it is in full swing with rebellion and dictatorship, Tropico de Sangre holds you firmly in its path of visuals: the stylish clothes of upper class Dominicans, a creepy portrayal of Trujillo (played by Juan Fernandéz, with ashy-grey skin at times) and sadly, the violent prison beatings, all relevant to the events that occurred. The film ends with several paragraphs including notes that Mirabal’s sister Dede maintains a museum today in memory of her sisters.

With my interest piqued from Tropico de Sangre, and the bravery of the Minerva sisters who risked their lives during Trujillo’s reign, the lush and historic Dominican Republic has definitely moved closer to the top of my Places to Visit list.

Peliculas de Peru

Ahhh February. While the chill of a California winter lingers and the thrill of Barcelona’s futbol winning streak leaves me with love hangover for Spain, my recent attention has turned south… all the way to Peru.

Eyewitness Travel - picturesque, informative books. Great Winter reading

Upon discovering several DVD’s produced or with stories set in Peru at the Sacramento Public library, I indulged in a mini movie marathon weekend, which left me with a head full of subtitles and a yearning to know more about this colorful, culturally-rich country.

Muy guapo calor, Jason Day, one of the raisons de hermoso to watch Máncora

Máncora is a delicious film by Peruvian director Ricardo de Montreuil, about a distantly-related stepbrother and sister reunited by tragedy. This film, set in Lima and Mancora, has lust, partying and spirit quests with hallucinogenic Ayahuasca, infidelity, road trip scenery through beautiful Peruvian coast, and a nice plot twist at the end. After the first scene I realized I had seen it a year ago, but watched it again, and it was just as good the second time. (My friend Oscar in Lima disagreed, instant messaging me: “Chica this film is bad.” Hm… las “chick flicks” de Peru? es Posible!)

Manolo Cardona y Bárbara Mori hablan secretos en La Mujer de Mi Hermano

La Mujer de Mi Hermano, also by Ricardo de Montreuil, is a film about a modern couple of 10 years experiencing intimacy issues and their rebellious artist brother (in-law) who intervenes with unapologetic machismo to stirs things up. The film moves quickly past the title, focusing on steamy love scenes with Uruguay-born, Mexican actress Barbra Mori and Colombian actor Manolo Cardona, but sadly it is not enough sustenance, and the plot twist left me feeling squirmy about so-called “normal life.”

Cinematographie Bueno: Magaly Solier collapses on la cama in Altiplano

Altiplano features the beautiful, native Peruvian actress Magaly Solier in a strong character role as Saturina and her beloved, Ignacio (played by rugged, statuesque Edgar Quispe) who live in an Andean village contaminated by mercury poison from a nearby mine. A plot within a plot depicts a former war photographer and her physician husband caught up in the riot that ensues. The photographer/physician couple did not intrigue me half as much as the stunning, raven-haired villagers of this striking film.

Fausta la flora: Magaly Solier is heartbreaking and beautiful

La Teta Asustada (The Milk of Sorrow) also features Magaly Solier, this time in a heartbreaking role as Fausta, a demure loner who grieves for her dead mother and believes she has a rare disease contracted from her months within the womb. Fausta oddly creates her own method of birth control and the subplot of the film includes a jaded view of a spoiled, city-based pianist for whom she works. The comical wedding scenes set in desert plains are sandy, colorful bittersweet treats for the viewer.

While a trip to Peru may be months away, immersion into the culture via film is a dreamy, satisfying way to get a head start on the expectations of travel. Books are great for reference and information, but there's something magical about watching life played out in action, films that intrigue the viewer to the point of indulgence and escape...