Colombian Americans have started a grassroots campaign against the new film “Colombiana,” starring Zoe Saldaña, because of the film’s use of stereotypes and lack of Colombian substance.
The movie depicts the life of a young Colombian woman (played by Zoe Saldaña) who, after witnessing her parents murder as a child in Bogota, grows up to be a stone-cold assassin in the United States.
However, according to PorColombia, an organization of Colombian students and professionals, the movie is “retarded.”
“The film provides no context of the real roots of the [Colombian] conflict, and shows a true lack of creativity…[the producers] have no idea and no cultural awareness,” PorColombia director Carlos Macias told Colombia Reports.
“Just to use the name ‘Colombiana’ doesn’t make any justice to Latinas or Colombian women at all,” said Macias.
PorColombia’s says its campaign against “Colombiana” represents the sentiments of Colombians and Colombian Americans who deal with many stereotypes and feel that this film will potentially worsen international perceptions of Colombian culture.
According to Latino Daily, “Colombiana” is what it is; a Hollywood action film, and does not speak for Colombian culture. “Perhaps this comes after decades of seeing Mexicans portrayed as maids and drug dealers and gang members, it doesn’t seem as bad as other stereotypes. Why does Saldaña have to speak for all Latinos, she’s not even Colombian, when Angelina Jolie didn’t speak for all white women when she made ‘Salt’?” commented the website.
Nevertheless, PorColombia would like Sony Pictures to apologize to the Colombian community, especially those who have been victims of violence, and to donate part of the profits to educational programs for children affected by armed conflict in Colombia.
The film is scheduled to open in theaters nationwide on August 26.