Pájaros de verano
Documenting the true-to-life rise and fall of rival Wayuu clans in northern Colombia, the latest film by Cristina Gallego and Ciro Guerra (El Abrazo De La Serpiente) is an unexpected take on the genre of the drug epic.
In the 1970s, as the American youth embraces hippie culture, marijuana bonanza hits Colombia, quickly turning farmers into seasoned businessmen. Raphayet is captivated by Zaida at her ‘coming out’ ceremony, and is determined to come up with the enormous dowry her mother and family matriarch, Úrsula, demands. The solution to his money woes appears when he and his friend Moisés meet up with some hippies who are looking for weed. As everyone’s wealth increases, so too does Moisés’ ego. When he targets Raphayet’s cousin’s clan, a rapid downward spiral ensues, bringing everyone along with it.
In five breathtakingly shot chapters, traditional Colombia changes into an arena of drugs, greed, revenge and blood. This makes PÁJAROS DE VERANO a portrayal of the start of the Escobar era.