'La estrategia del caracol' had an unexpected success in Colombia. The movie was on release at the end of december of 1994 and, suddenly, like a miracle, the film connected with the viewers, the critics and collected some money, something unusual in that country where Hollywood rubbish-films are box-office kings (sadly). Certainly, Cabrera's creation deserved that incredible viewer's support. His movie is a good polaroid of colombian people and their way of living. It shows us the efforts of a group of 'neighbours' trying to keep the only thing that they have got in their lives: their house, something that belongs to them but, legally, doesn't. They will have to work together, despite they don't like each other, in order to solve that problem. And they, as usually colombians do, will find a creative solution to keep that precious 'treasure'. That's what I think the movie is about. By using the intelligence, cooperation and a good dose of sacarsm poor people can defeat the rich-powerful guys. In this case, this modest colombian film defeated the Hollywood empire for several weeks. Of course the dream was so short...!
Review of La estrategia del caracol
