The First Night is the Colombian Director Luis Alberto Restrepo's magnificent debut film that tells a now well-known story of the reality of Columbian life. Two farmers are brutally exiled from their native land by the force of the military conflict, and at the same time are involved in a very complex emotional relationship that, instead of uniting them, turns against them on their arrival at the mean streets of the Columbian capital Bogotá.

The First Night was preceded by great hype due to the fact that it has won various national and international Awards since its debut and run on the Film Festival Circuit. Among the Awards one must mention the Rail d'oc in the 2003 Latin American Film Festival of Toulouse; the "Tato Miller" Award in the 2003 Mar del Plata Festival, and the Golden Egret in the 2004 Miami Latin Film Festival.

The film premiered in London during the 3rd Discovering Latin America Film Festival last November. In agreement with all the publicity there was no doubt about the quality of the script, excellent characters and strong imagery. Apart from all that it emphasizes how the socio-political conflict that affects the Columbian nation envelops the viewers in the fragile setting of an amorous trio with tragic consequences.

The plot develops around Toño and Paulina (played by John Alex Toro and Carolina Lizarro respectively), who are left with no choice after being stripped of all dignity. Fighting against the current of a dramatic destiny that takes them from one violent situation to another, where nobody knows which is worse.

It is natural to understand that the fight for survival is our greatest instinct, but Restrepo efficiently reinforces it with strong images, supported in excellent photographic frames and powerful scenes that carry on until the end. I don't remember lately having seen any one image as powerful as that included by Restrepo at the end of his film.

To sum up, one must recognise by discovery that The First Night is a great work of Columbian film-making; and that Restrepo is an up and coming director, who will undoubtedly continue to stand out in future film-making projects.

More information:

III Discovering Latin America Film Festival

International Movie Database