Phonearl Good start, but then it gets ruined

Billie Morin This movie feels like it was made purely to piss off people who want good shows

Kaydan Christian A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

Married Baby Just intense enough to provide a much-needed diversion, just lightweight enough to make you forget about it soon after it’s over. It’s not exactly “good,” per se, but it does what it sets out to do in terms of putting us on edge, which makes it … successful?

alex-nawoichik If you do not know much about Columbian history, this will spark your interest. The director, Jorge Alí Triana, has a knack for intriguing the viewer and making them want to research the life Simon Bolivar. When Santiago Miranda says that Simon Bolivar did not die the way that they depict in the soap opera that he plays a role in, it is intriguing. It forces the viewer to ask, how did he really die? That is a question that many have been asking for a long time. Also, the comedic relief in this film is genius. It keeps you on your toes, and it breaks up the dismal view that the viewer gets of Santiago, who seems insane at certain points in the movie. The viewers feel pity for him, mostly.

Geoffrey Kantaris This film can be seen on many different levels. On the surface it is a (very funny) comedy about an actor who gets so involved in the role of Simón Bolívar in a Colombian soap opera that he believes himself to be the Liberator. On a deeper level, the film makes wry comments about the theatrical nature of politics and about the way in which the mass media mix politics and fiction all the time. The politicians are at first very keen to be able to invite "Simón Bolívar" to political rallies and regional summits, and even the guerrillas want this "Simón" as the symbol of their struggle. At one point one of the guerrillas of the comically named Simon Bolivar Bolshevik Front pulls out a video camera saying "This is a Historical moment. We must record it, comrades". As we know all too well from recent events, freedom fighters and terrorists alike know that politics has become a matter of image as much as substance. It is telling that the populace in the film trust a fictional soap opera hero more than they do the president of their country. It is also telling that the mass media have no respect for History, and will happily rewrite the way Simón Bolívar died to make it more "dramatic".This film will upset those on the Left and the Right who still believe that history is about Truth and politics are about Honour and Duty. For the rest it is a funny, bittersweet satire on the powerlessness of politicians and the power of "the society of the spectacle".

felipev84 Based on a real story, this awesome film is pure magic realism. It is one of those films that are able to mix tragedy and humor, something characteristic of Latin America. Being Colombian I think I find in this movie a vivid portrait of the reality of my country; it depicts the dreams of our liberator, the dreams the common people have about him, and the realities of an amazing and contradictory country. The humor in this film is not just about simple jokes, it is a social criticism. Perhaps the only thing that could make this movie a bad one is the viewer. Either if you are an expert of the Colombian conflict or someone who has no idea about it, I definitely recommend `Bolívar soy yo.'

AmitabhaRay I saw the film "Bolívar soy yo" yesterday (October 2, 2002). It was shown in the 33rd International Film Festival of India. Jorge Ali Triana was present in the auditorium. I am moved. I have never dreamt that based on the life of the 'Great Liberator' of Latin America i.e. Simon Bolivar, a serious film like 'Bolívar soy yo' could be made. I am really moved.