The history of cinema in Colombia would not be complete if we do not count animated film works within its repertoire; these works, although few, have contributed to the creation of our own cinematographic identity based on our traditions, cultural samples and history.
Animated cinema in Colombia
If we compare Colombia with large industries in the field of animated cinema such as the United States or Japan, we can say that it still has a long way to go, and the country's animated cinema has been supported from its beginnings by those independent artists who With their own efforts and those of their most personal circles, they have achieved the creation of cinematographic works that have fueled the animated industry in Colombia, which since its inception has been mostly focused on the commercial field with the creation of television commercials.
If we talk about animated cinema in Colombia, we must highlight that human talent that, without large-scale support like that enjoyed by filmmakers from the great powers in the world, has achieved those contributions to national cinema that make us proud; Since “La Pobre Viejecita,” the first Colombian animated feature film, more than 40 years have passed, in which these Colombian filmmakers have managed to feed the industry.
One of these Talents is Roberto Ortiz Macia, a man from Cartagena who set out to create the first animated film (Movie) made on the Colombian Caribbean coast, a feat he achieved with a lot of effort, dedication and the support of those close to him.
Paladín, the first animated film made on the Colombian Caribbean coast.
The animated filmPaladin, The arrival” became that first film in 2017, which took around 6 years to complete from the conception of its original idea.
The story takes place in a distant future in which humans have given way to new species of humans called “Metahumans”; one of them has in its DNA the secret of the origin of civilization and the two main characters of the story: Raven and Sable Ronin; They will embark on a detective adventure through a metropolis in search of this Metahuman.
The film highlights the design of the characters, the setting of the metropolis which shows us what a Latin American city would be like in the future, combining architectural elements typical of historical cities with futuristic architecture, also highlighting the design of the robots (mechas). Of course, this is not a perfect work, but it achieves its objective, and poses a before and after in animated cinema in the region; Among the recognitions it has obtained, the best animation at the Eurasia International Monthly Film Festival of 2017 stands out, and the official selection of the Havana Film Festival of 2019.
Interview with Roberto Ortiz Maciá director of Paladín
We have spoken with its creator Roberto Ortiz about this project and about Colombian animated cinema:
El Rincón Colombiano (ERC): What personal and professional challenges does the creation of the animated film Paladín, the Arrival represent?
Roberto Ortiz (RO): PALADIN is a challenge about which it is difficult for me to say how much it has cost me and continues to cost me over time, it has been a challenge without references, we have done everything along the way and from scratch and we do it with love and passion, we like the animation, we wanted to fulfill the dream of making the first animated film made on the Caribbean coast and so we did, we continue to distribute and present this material and create new productions around it in what we have called the PALADIN UNIVERSE.
ERC: Which of all the processes or stages of the creation of the “Paladin” project was the most satisfactory?
RO: I think realizing that I could write and follow that process, the script is the backbone of any project and that makes it possible for you to offer it to any production company, writing the story makes it immortal and takes it from your mind to this World.
ERC: How did it feel to have finally finished this animation production and to have managed to participate as an official selection in several film festivals around the world?
RO: I felt that it is a dream come true, I think that the dream has grown and has posed new challenges, of course people ask for more about this production, in general the idea is to leave a legacy and we hope to live up to it.
ERC: What was the greatest learning, whether on a personal or professional level, that the creation of this project left you?
RO: He leaves me with the idea of pursuing your dreams, it is the most important lesson he has left me.
ERC: What is your biggest dream regarding your career as an animated film director?
RO: At this point I would love for the new generations to follow the path, for them to know that, if it is possible, that Colombians can fulfill our dreams, that is happening and it is something that seems great to me.
ERC: Are you currently working on a new animation production?
RO: We are working on building a universe from the story of PALADIN, telling other adventures in animation, I plan to continue with the Sci-Fi line, we are working on that.
ERC: How do you see the reality of animation filmmakers in Colombia?
RO: I know of unions organized in Colombia, also of studies; producing, exporting animation, talent, I am a believer that animation made in Colombia is a potential export product, we must send projects for example to Cannes, which is one of the largest markets for everything audiovisual, there are institutions like Procolombia that provide advice in that sense, in general terms I see the future of the Colombian animation industry in exports.
ERC: What advice can you give to those Colombians who dream of animation as a profession?
RO: The animation industry worldwide 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.
Despite the technological advances in software that facilitate the creation of animation through a computer, the creation of animated productions in the country continues to be a challenge, but we continue to have the primary resource for these productions to be born and that is national talent. , talents like Roberto Ortiz Maciá who do not give up on the path to bringing to fruition a challenging project such as creating an animated film in Colombia.
If you want to see “Paladin, The Arrival” you can do so on the following platform: https://tv.festhome.com/view_film/94395
