The Two Escobars

This documentary comes from ESPNs 30 for 30 and came out in 2010.  I realize that I'm a bit behind the times on this, but I think watching this movie is an obligation if one is living in Colombia.  David & I borrowed this from a friend and finally got around to watching it after several attempts; it takes a bit of concentration since you have to read the subtitles and/or try to follow the Spanish from most of the interviewees in the movie.  If  you are trying to listen to the Spanish and read the English subtitles to work on your Spanish, it takes extra concentration.

The movie was quite good and informative, telling the story of Colombia's not so tranquilo past; I would highly recommend watching it.  The "Two Escobars" are Pablo Escobar, the very rich and very powerful head of the Medellin Cartel and the very talented Colombian soccer player Andres Escobar.  While these two might not seem to have anything in common, their lives are quite intertwined.  The ringleaders of the cartel needed a way to legitimize their massive illegal income and thus use the Colombian National team and others to move money around, giving the team the money it needed to attract and keep talented players.  Many drug lords also placed large bets on games and payoff referees as well, changing the stakes of each game.  The documentary chronicles Pablo Escobar's rise and fall and offers a unique perspective on how the man was seen by the rich political figures, to the poor living in the slums (where he lived before his own millions), for whom he provided homes, soccer fields and a sense of security. 

Alongside this we see also the rise of a young soccer star, Andres Escobar who ultimately becomes the captain of the National team.  While the country is facing the turmoil of a serious drug war, the National team's skyrocketing rise is a glimmer of hope for the country; giving them pride and offering a way to save the violent image of Colombia portrayed to others worldwide.  Just after the team qualifies for their first ever World Cup, Pablo Escobar is killed.  The team goes into the Cup ranked 4th and many predict they will win it all, but before even arriving in the US they are plagued by bad fortune and after losing their first game there are threats to their families.  In a game against Team USA, Andres Escobar scores an "own goal", scoring for the other team and ultimately causing Colombia to be eliminated in the first round.  Shortly after returning to Colombia Andres is shot and killed while out after some exchange about his goal; the killers were believed to be others involved in the cartel. 

Although some believe Pablo Escobar's dirtying of the soccer game ultimately caused Andres' death, others say that had Pablo still been alive, his strict control of the "underworld" would have prevented it.  No matter the side you take on the debate, its a movie worth watching and sharing, that offers much information and insight into an era dictated by the war on drugs and a country's love for a team.

My only disclaimer is this: this movie is about what Colombia was, not what it is.  I won't say the country is without corruption or violence (give me a country that is...), but it is nothing like what is seen in the documentary.  However, the country shown in this movie is what many still picture of Colombia, which is an unfortunate truth.  But that's part of the reason I'm here, to tell you all how great this country is.  Come visit!