Manos sucias
Directed by Josef Wladyka
Starring Cristian James Abvincula, Jarlin Javier Martinez, Manuel David Riascos and Hadder Blandon
Towing a submerged torpedo in the wake of their battered fishing boat, a desperate fisherman and a naive kid embark on a journey trafficking millions of dollars worth of cocaine. Shot entirely on location along the Pacific coast of Colombia—in areas that bear the indelible scars of the drug trade—Manos Sucias refuses to glamorize the drug trade but rather seeks to offer a rare glimpse of its devastating effects.
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Reviews
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★★★★ review by Raul Marques on Letterboxd
Something of a Colombian 'Beasts of No Nation'. Solid character development and surprisingly great action for a film that small. A racist gets rightfully killed for implying that Zico was better than Pelé. I was going to say that I wouldn't surprised if the director popped up in Hollywood a few years from now, but he's already shooting episodes of 'Narcos'.
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★★★½ review by JP Ocampo on Letterboxd
As a Colombian I am excited about finding a film made in my country that manages to hold its own at the international stage and hence I might be slightly biased. That being said, Manos Sucias tackles a worn out topic, as is the country's drug trade, from a different angle, focusing on the bottom steps of the chain instead of on the glamour, and setting the viewers in the shoes of two desperate brothers, victims of a hopeless situation. At points the film is bleak; ruthless, not shying away from the brutality of the issue and yet it also manages to be emotional, touching and basely humane. The camerawork is outstanding and the acting a delightful surprise. Distressingly real and harsh in tackling a standing issue, I am glad work like this exists.
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★★★★ review by Tasha Robinson on Letterboxd
Another favorite discovery at Tribeca, an award-winning Colombian feature from a first-time director, about two men hired for a drug-delivery run that goes terribly wrong in multiple ways. Fantastic performances, but also a tremendously tight story, breathless with action but achingly personal and specific. Made my "films to hope for" list after Tribeca, and after it won the fest's "best new narrative director" award, I had high hopes for it to get picked up for American release. Still hoping.
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★★★★½ review by Peter Valerio on Letterboxd
Two men smuggle drugs through the jungle. Things don't go so smoothly. Near perfect thriller.
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★★★★½ review by Lucca Westphal on Letterboxd
Primeiro filme colombiano que eu vejo. A história é simples e excelente, os personagens são interessantes, e a trilha sonora é boa quando presente. Filme bem desconhecido pelo jeito, mas tem na Netlix, vale a pena assistir.
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