Colombian cinema has come a long way, but it still has miles to go. While the country’s film industry is slowly gaining international recognition, much of what’s known outside of Colombia tends to focus on our turbulent, violent past. Whether produced by foreign directors or Colombians themselves, these films often dive into the country’s darkest moments—perhaps as a way to help us collectively process what we’ve lived through.
If you’re like me and won’t be tuning into the Netflix adaptation of Cien Años de Soledad, there are plenty of homegrown films with powerful narratives worth diving into instead. While much of Colombian cinema has historically focused on the country’s violent past, it is also rich with stories that go beyond these typical narratives of conflict. Below are five Colombian movies you should watch, each offering a unique window into the country’s history. I’ve added where you can stream each one—just click the links to start watch.
Litigante (2021) (Watch on MUBI)
Litigante is a 2019 Colombian drama directed by Franco Lolli that paints a raw picture of modern-day Colombian life. The film revolves around Silvia, a single mother and lawyer in Bogotá, as she navigates the intense pressures of her career and personal life. Silvia is entangled in a high-profile corruption case—a situation that echoes the broader issue of corruption in Colombia—but the heart of the story is her strained relationship with her demanding, opinionated, and strong-willed mother, who is terminally ill with cancer.
Silvia is constantly trying to live up to her mother’s expectations, while her mother, Leticia, seems ready to let go, unfazed by Silvia’s efforts, as if she’s already resigned to her fate. This dynamic creates an emotional tug-of-war between the two, with generational differences further widening the communication gap. The film beautifully captures the complexities of modern matriarchal families, reflecting on the bonds that hold us together, the inevitability of illness, and the tough choices that come with the question of quality of life.
What makes Litigante even more special is its cast of natural actors—people with no formal acting training—which adds a level of authenticity and intimacy to the performances. Carolina Sanín, a well-known Colombian columnist and author, takes on the role of Silvia, while Leticia, Silvia’s mother in the film, is played by Lolli’s real-life mother, Leticia Gómez, who is also a lawyer. This casting choice gives the film a deeply personal touch, grounding it even more in real-life experiences.
In 2021, Litigante won the award for Best Original Screenplay at the Macondo Awards, presented by the Colombian Academy of Cinematic Arts and Sciences, a testament to its emotional depth and resonance.
La estrategia del caracol (1993) (Watch on YouTube)
La estrategia del caracol (The Strategy of the Snail) is a 1993 film directed by Sergio Cabrera, inspired by Italian neorealism and based on a Colombian newspaper headline that caught Cabrera’s eye. The film tells the clever story of a group of tenants who, instead of giving in to their wealthy landlord’s demands, come up with a bold plan to outsmart him. What unfolds is an ingenious act of resistance, a stand against an oppressive system.
The film’s enduring appeal lies in its exploration of social justice, resilience, and the complexity of identities, including a subtle but powerful portrayal of LGBTQ+ themes. The character of Gabriela, a trans woman, struggles with her gender identity in a deeply conservative society, adding another layer of depth to the film’s narrative. La estrategia del caracol reflects not only Colombia’s past but also its ongoing struggles with inequality and social marginalization.
Widely acclaimed and still relevant over 30 years later, the film won prestigious awards at the Berlin International Film Festival and the Biarritz Film Cinema Festival of Latin America, solidifying its place as a classic in Colombian cinema.
Siempreviva (2015) (Watch on RTVC Play)
Siempreviva (Immortal) is a 2015 Colombian drama directed by Klych López, based on the play by Miguel Torres. Set against the backdrop of the 1985 Palace of Justice siege in Bogotá—one of the most tragic events in Colombia’s history, which unfolded in the same week as the devastating Armero tragedy—the film tells the story of Julieta, a law student who becomes one of the hostages during the siege. Her family’s agonizing wait for any news of her fate closely mirrors the real-life disappearance of Cristina Guarín Cortés, one of the missing victims.
The film focuses on the lives of those left behind, showing how they are forced to confront their deepest fears, hopes, and the brutal realities of living in a country plagued by political and social turmoil. Though the story centers on this national tragedy, Siempreviva is ultimately a reflection on how such trauma ripples through individual lives. It paints a powerful picture of how even those not directly caught in the violence still carry its heavy weight. The boarding house where Julieta’s family lives becomes a microcosm of Colombia itself, reflecting the collective struggles of a country in crisis.
Memoria (2021) (Watch on MUBI)
Memoria (2021), directed by Thai filmmaker Apichatpong Weerasethakul and starring Tilda Swinton, follows Jessica, a Scottish woman living in Bogotá who becomes disturbed by a strange, loud sound that only she can hear. This bizarre condition pulls her into a journey across Colombia as she searches for the source of the noise and its deeper meaning.
Bogotá’s architecture and landscape play a crucial role in the film, showing how physical spaces—and emotional ones—shape how we see the world. The city’s towering structures and sprawling mountains reflect Jessica’s internal struggles, making Bogotá as much a character as Jessica herself.
Awarded the Jury Prize at Cannes, Memoria creates a haunting dialogue between sound, space, and memory, leaving us to wonder how much of our reality is shaped by what we can—or can’t—hear.
El sendero de la anaconda (2019) (Watch on Netflix)
El sendero de la anaconda (The Path of the Anaconda) is a 2019 Colombian documentary directed by Alessandro Angulo. It follows the journey of anthropologist and writer Wade Davis and Colombian explorer Martin von Hildebrand as they travel along the Apaporis River in the Amazon Rainforest. The film is inspired by Davis’s book The River, in which he reflects on the time he spent in the Amazon in the 1970s.
The documentary focuses on the deep connection between the indigenous communities and the land, highlighting the rich cultural heritage and knowledge that these groups have about the Amazon’s ecosystem. As the two explorers retrace old routes through the jungle, they engage with indigenous leaders and elders, discussing not only the myths and beliefs of their cultures but also the growing threats to the rainforest, such as deforestation, mining, and climate change.
El sendero de la anaconda advocates for the protection of the Amazon and its indigenous peoples, who play a key role in safeguarding this critical ecosystem. The film merges stunning visuals of the rainforest with profound conversations on environmental stewardship, culture, and the legacy of colonialism.
