Directed by Alberto Arvelo
Not a bad film, about the legendary patriot and freedom fighter, Simón Bolívar, the only initial first reaction was, "holy smokes it's Carlos The Jackal and he stole a time machine, escaped from french prison and is hiding out from the Mossad in the jungles of South America"....haha just kidding, but seriously I had just seen this accomplished actor, Édgar Ramírez, playing that international insurgent and antizionist guerilla, Ilich Ramírez Sánchez, in the 2010 french film "Carlos", and that heavy duty image was hard to shake, but nonetheless, Ramírez plays a plausible Simón Bolívar, in this historical "epic" production.
Good way to remember an uncompromising revolutionary who fought and died for the Republic of Venezuela, years before it became a fact. And let's not forget that the film's creators were on top of their history, so the IRISH BRIGADE , that's right folks, led by Daniel O'Leary, play an integral role in the film, crossing the Andes to free Venezuela, just like they did in real history.
And just like in so many fights for national liberation, wasn't it always those most comfortable and those with the most to lose that eventually betrayed the revolution and stabbed their fellow comrades, like they did with Bolívar, in the back?! Imperialists and Slavers and Plantation owners , of course. Who else?
But a good movie despite the cheezy soundtrack. And another reminder that, in any revolutionary struggle, those closest to you, as history has proven, time and time again, are probably going to be the first to betray you. But the people, they always remember and revere the Liberators, never the betrayers. Up The Rebels. Up The Republic. Both Venezuelan and Irish.
Rory Dubhdara, Radio Rebel Gael
