theguardian.com
Pepe: A Hippo's Journey Through Post-Escobar Colombia
Nelson Carlo de Los Santos Arias' "Pepe," a docu-fiction film premiered at the Berlin Film Festival, uses the hippopotamus left behind by Pablo Escobar to explore Colombia's historical consciousness and the ecological and social impact of Escobar's legacy.
- What is the significance of using a hippopotamus, formerly owned by Pablo Escobar, as the central figure in a film exploring the historical consciousness of post-Escobar Colombia?
- Cocote" director Nelson Carlo de Los Santos Arias' new film, shown at the Berlin film festival, is a docu-fiction about Pepe, a hippopotamus formerly owned by Pablo Escobar. The film follows Pepe's journey after Escobar's death, contrasting his imagined consciousness with the reality of his impact on the Colombian ecosystem and the people who encounter him.
- How does the film contrast Pepe's inner world, depicted through a stream of consciousness, with the reactions of the Colombians who encounter him, particularly Candelario and his wife?
- The film uses Pepe, a hippopotamus from Escobar's estate, as a symbol to explore themes of displacement, adaptation, and the lasting consequences of the drug lord's actions on Colombia's environment and society. The narrative blends real-life accounts with Pepe's imagined inner life, creating a unique perspective on the hippo's experience and its symbolic resonance.
- What are the broader implications of the film's blend of documentary and fictional elements in conveying the lasting impacts of historical events, such as Escobar's drug empire, on the environment and society?
- Arias' film suggests that Pepe, a symbol of Escobar's excess, represents the complex legacy of his actions. Pepe's survival in the wild raises questions about the resilience of nature and its capacity to adapt in unexpected ways, contrasting with the ongoing human consequences of Escobar's reign. The film's non-linear structure mirrors the unpredictable nature of both Pepe's existence and the broader socio-ecological challenges facing Colombia.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The framing is overwhelmingly positive, focusing on the film's artistic achievements and unique qualities. The description of the film as "wayward and weirdly beautiful" and the comparisons to legendary monsters like Moby Dick contribute to a highly favorable portrayal, potentially overshadowing any potential critiques.
Language Bias
The language used is largely descriptive and evocative, using words such as "huge," "wayward," "weirdly beautiful," and "entrancing." While positive, these terms lack specific objectivity and could be considered loaded, though their use is not egregious and largely within the scope of typical film reviews.
Bias by Omission
The review focuses heavily on the film's artistic merit and unique style, potentially overlooking critical analysis of the film's factual accuracy or potential biases in its portrayal of historical events and figures. It also doesn't address the potential for exploitation of the hippos or the impact of the film's production on the environment or local communities.
Sustainable Development Goals
The film depicts the negative impact of human activities (Pablo Escobar