The son of former Colombian drug kingpin Pablo Escobar arrived in Canada this week for a screening of a new documentary about his journey for forgiveness since his father’s death nearly 20 years ago.
Sebastian Marroquin, who changed his name from Juan Pablo Escobar after his father’s death to avoid recognition, collaborated with Argentine filmmaker Nicolas Entel for the film about his young life as the son of one of the world’s richest and most infamous criminals. Marroquin had rejected many previous offers, but was persuaded by Entel’s vision for the film.
In an interview with Valerie Fortney of the Calgary Herald, Marroquin explained his reasoning for the film.
“It is a belief in my culture that the sons carry the sins of the father,” he said.
“I wanted to write my own story,” he added.
The film, entitled “Sins of my Father,” shows Marroquin’s meetings with three sons of his father’s victims. Marroquin says these meetings were very helpful in his healing process, but that his efforts at reconciliation are not always so well received.
“It is very hard to talk to someone with a gun on their desk,” Marroquin told the Calgary Herald.
Marroquin’s father killed hundreds, possibly thousands, of people and many of his victims’ family members are not quick to forgive and forget.
Nor has it been easy for Marroquin to disentangle himself from his father’s legacy.
“The scars are still there (…) But the wounds are closed. I have hope that peace is possible, in all levels of society.” He told Fortney.
The film will be screened Thursday night as part of National Victims of Violence Awareness Week and Marroquin will subsequently hold a questions and answer session.
