Interview: Roberto Ortiz Maciá and the Making of the First Animated Film from Colombia’s Caribbean Coast

The history of cinema in Colombia would not be complete without the animated films in its repertoire. These works, though few, have helped build a cinematic identity of our own, rooted in our traditions, cultural expressions, and history.

Animated Film in Colombia

Compared with major animation industries such as the United States or Japan, Colombia still has a long way to go. From the start, Colombian animated film has depended on independent artists. Working with their own resources and the help of their closest circles, they have created the films that sustain the country’s animation industry. That industry has always focused mostly on commercial work, especially television commercials.

When we talk about animated film in Colombia, we must highlight the human talent behind it. These filmmakers lack the large-scale support available in the world’s leading film countries, yet they have made contributions to national cinema that make us proud. More than 40 years have passed since “La pobre viejecita” (The Poor Little Old Lady), the first Colombian animated feature film. In that time, Colombian filmmakers have found ways to keep the industry going.

One of these talents is Roberto Ortiz Maciá, a native of Cartagena who set out to create the first animated film made on Colombia’s Caribbean coast. He achieved it through hard work and dedication, with the support of those close to him.

Paladín: The First Animated Film Made on Colombia’s Caribbean Coast

In 2017, the animated film “Paladín, The Arrival” became that first film. It took about six years to complete, counting from the original idea.

The story takes place in the distant future, after humans have given way to new human species called “Metahumans.” One of them carries in their DNA the secret of the origin of civilization. The story’s two main characters, Raven and Sable Ronin, set out on a detective adventure through a metropolis in search of this Metahuman.

The film stands out for its character design and for its metropolis, which imagines what a Latin American city might look like in the future by blending the architecture of historic cities with futuristic buildings. The design of the robots (mechs) is also noteworthy. It is not a perfect work, of course, but it achieves its goal and marks a turning point for animated film in the region. Its awards include Best Animation at the 2017 Eurasia International Monthly Film Festival, and it was an official selection at the 2019 Havana Film Festival.

Interview with Roberto Ortiz Maciá, Director of Paladín

We spoke with its creator, Roberto Ortiz, about this project and about Colombian animated film:

El Rincón Colombiano (ERC): What personal and professional challenges did you face in creating the animated film Paladín, The Arrival?

Roberto Ortiz (RO): PALADIN is a challenge, and it’s hard for me to say how much it has cost me, and keeps costing me, over time. It has been a challenge with no reference points. We’ve figured everything out along the way, starting from scratch, and we do it with love and passion. We love animation, and we wanted to fulfill the dream of making the first animated film produced on the Caribbean coast, and we did it. We’re still distributing and presenting this work and building new productions around it, in what we’ve called the PALADIN UNIVERSE.

ERC: Of all the processes or stages in creating “Paladín,” which was the most rewarding?

RO: I think it was realizing that I could write and see that process through. The script is the backbone of any project, and it’s what makes it possible to pitch the project to any production company. Writing the story makes it immortal and brings it from your mind into this world.

ERC: How did you feel when you finally finished this animated production and earned official selections at several film festivals around the world?

RO: I felt it was a dream come true. I think the dream has grown and brought new challenges. Of course, people are asking for more from this production. Overall, the idea is to leave a legacy, and we hope to live up to it.

ERC: What was the biggest lesson, personal or professional, that creating this project left you with?

RO: It leaves me with the idea of chasing your dreams. That’s the most important lesson it has taught me.

ERC: What is your biggest dream for your career as an animated film director?

RO: At this point, I’d love for new generations to follow this path, and to know that yes, it can be done, that we Colombians can achieve our dreams. That’s already happening, and I think it’s great.

ERC: Are you currently working on a new animated production?

RO: We’re working on building a universe out of the PALADIN story, telling other adventures through animation. I plan to stay with sci-fi. That’s what we’re working on.

ERC: How do you see the reality for animation filmmakers in Colombia?

RO: I know of organized guilds in Colombia, and also of studios that are producing and exporting animation and talent. I firmly believe that animation made in Colombia is a potential export product. We should be sending projects to places like Cannes, for example, which is one of the biggest markets for anything audiovisual. Institutions such as ProColombia offer guidance on this. Overall, I see the future of the Colombian animation industry in exports.

ERC: What advice can you give Colombians who dream of a career in animation?

RO: The global animation industry moves millions, and the creative industries have everything to do with that. We have a Colombian treasure in the talent of our people. Animation is a great path.

Software now makes computer animation easier, but creating animated productions in Colombia remains a challenge. Still, the country has the essential resource these productions need: its own talent. That includes people like Roberto Ortiz Maciá, who never give up until they complete a project as demanding as making an animated film in Colombia.

If you’d like to watch “Paladín, The Arrival,” it’s available in our platform: elrinconcolombiano.com/paladin-the-arrival