La Virgen de los Sicarios (Spanish) [Our Lady Of The Assassins]

This was a very interesting film, filmed in a very guerilla style probably using video cameras and what not. The violence somehow still seamlessly weaves throughout the film which is filled with social realism. The film does take us through the grim reality of the city of Medellin in Colombia, which thankfully I know a lot more about having recently watched the Narcos series. I was, hence, thankfully able to relate to the film better.

50-something Fernando meets 16-ish young handsome gay boy Alexis at a party and instantly has a liking for him. They both get into a very organic relationship naturally. Fernando has recently moved back to his city after years and they both walk around talking about the changes that this city has gone through. Alexis, though super young, does carry a gun with him, like most people in Medellin, just in case, he ever gets attacked for his own safety. Even though Fernando has come home to die, his sarcastic views on the city and everyday robbery, violence, and shootings is mellowed somewhat by his relationship with Alexis. Alexis becomes very protective of Fernando and kills at least 4 people who disrespect him. The love grows but so does the fact that there will be an assassination attempt on Alexis. Having dodged it twice, the killer do end up killing Alexis. Sad and gloomy, a year passes and Fernando mets Wilmer, another 16 year old bearing a striking resemblance to Alexis. They soon begin a relationship but Fernando is shocked to find out that it was Wilmar who killed Alexis. Vowing to kill Wilmar, Fernando changes his mind when he finds the reason and instead convinces Wilmar to leave the country with him for a better life. But life has other plans and Wilmar gets killed too. Seeing that the vicious cycle of atrocities in Medellín denies happiness, Fernando presumably commits suicide.

At first i wasn't really sure, where the film is headed but there were quite a few things that were very likeable about the film. The way the interactions had been between Fernando and Alexis, there seemed to be a genuine love and care for each other. Initially what seemed like a convenience of money and youth, was a mistake and there was love. The morality of their arrangement of course is irrelevant in a city with no morality and where killings happen for no reason whatsoever. Fernando's character brings a charm of sarcasm on how the city has change and also educates us through some of the history of the town. But at times, it gets a bit too much. However, I think most of it was needed to explore the growing relationship between 2 guys with a huge age gap. There is a charm and comfort that the 2 men share which is repeated in his relationship with Wilmer as well. The film actually could easily have been delegated to being a documentary and a boring film, if not for the charming and very likeable actors. With the direction, I feel a very realistic portrayal of Medellin has been shown and ironically now I wish to visit the place. The title of the film comes from Fernando's ambivalence about religion, and the fact that the he keeps finding himself in cathedrals for reflection on life.

This film is not for everyone. Most people will find it boring and pointless but I feel there was an odd charm to the film. The killings are not gratuitous, they are there to make a point and show you what realistically people are living there. Its not a bad film by any means but will need patience and an odd sense of humor to appreciate the film. (6.5/10)