Bogotá Story
A young mother must choose between her family and her dreams during a dark time in Colombia's history. Written and Directed by Esteban Pedraza. Official Selection: 2023 Venice International Film Festival. WATCH THE FULL FILM ON THE NEW YORKER
Short, Drama, 16m, 1.66, Color, 16mm, Spanish, Colombia/USA
Synopsis
Pilar, a young mother in Bogotá, receives an internship opportunity in the US and the news comes as a big surprise to her husband, Alejandro, who is tied down to his responsibilities in Bogotá.
Set in 1992, as Colombia faces an era of drug violence, car bombs, and daily power outages, Pilar and Alejandro must deal with their conflicting desires and the danger and darkness around them.
With just 3 days to respond to the offer, Pilar must decide between being a mother and a wife in Bogotá or leaving everything behind to revive her fading professional dreams.
Director’s Statement
After making films for almost a decade, Bogotá Story is the first one that takes me back to my roots in Colombia. Though fictional, it's a very personal film inspired by my parents and the challenges I don’t remember living through as a baby.
On a broad level, the film depicts a common, worldwide experience held by those who are forced to envision a brighter future in a place they don’t call home, potentially leaving behind a profound sense of meaning and identity.
On a more intimate level, it asks questions about our duty to our families versus our duty to ourselves. As a Colombian who grew up with a single mom in the States, these themes and questions have been a natural obsession for me since I was a child.
On a broad level, the film depicts a common, worldwide experience held by those who are forced to envision a brighter future in a place they don’t call home, potentially leaving behind a profound sense of meaning and identity.
On a more intimate level, it asks questions about our duty to our families versus our duty to ourselves. As a Colombian who grew up with a single mom in the States, these themes and questions have been a natural obsession for me since I was a child.