Film Difficulty Ranking: 2
Los Hongos follows some cool-ish kids who like to skate and paint. We follow them around Cali in Colombia as they move around the city meeting up with friends and family. This is like spending a bit of time with friendly tour guide in Colombia. This is a sneak peek into life in Cali. (At least I think it is! Please comment if director Oscar Ruiz Navia gets it wrong).
Why watch Los Hongos?
- To experience Colombia without the expensive plane ticket (and language problems).
- Coming-of-age films! I’m a fan!
- For some infectious vibrant colours to make you forget the overcast weather outside.
- To see an old man singing ballads in the shower!
Los Hongos opens with a night-time close up of a paint roller covered in red paint being dragged across a chain of posters of political candidates. Is this a political act? Next the protagonist paints a red blotch on the wall. Rebellion? Probably not, for our protagonist is revealed to be Ras, just a young adult figuring out life. He tries to skate on a small bar on the roof of his house until the cockerels start singing before slumping on his bed. His brief moment of peace is broken five minutes later as his mum’s alarm wakes her up and the morning begins.
By this point there had been no dialogue, but I already wanted to know more about Ras. Who was this guy and what gave him the determination to stay up until dawn skating and painting?
We later meet his mate, Calvin, another guy like him who lives with and takes care of his Nana. He gives us a tour of the neighbourhood and Colombian culture by taking him to visit his Dad who takes them to the local cafe where we hear local music, see (and can almost smell) local food, and hear conversation about local politics. It’s like a Lonely Planet 101 to Colombia. That’s what I love about some simple films like this one; they immerse you in another country for an hour or two.
In addition, the cinematography is great. The vibrant colours paint the city to life so you start wanting to be there too. Plus the editing and camera framing and movement is beautiful. For example:
- Tracking shots of the characters skating or biking (ie. where the camera alongside them).
- Shots of characters in mirrors.
- The medium-long shots of characters or scenes gives the film a relaxing rhythm, allowing you to soak in everything. (In contrast with the effect of long shots in Androids Dream and The Lobster).
- One beautiful shot of Calvin’s Nana. She is telling Ras and Calvin about a story from years ago and when she finishes her face is shot in close up with Ras slumped asleep on the bed on her right and Calvin asleep to her left. The camera follows the movement as she looks to her right and then to her left. She sees that they have both fallen asleep during her story and she looks directly at the camera which then cuts to a picture of her as a girl. The direction beautifully captures her strong nostalgia and her recognition of her age and closeness to death.
Don’t worry though, because this is not a depressing or sad film. This is a film that rolls with the flow of life and fills your spirit. For a chance to be a kid in Colombia for an hour and a half, choose Los Hongos.