We are taken to a somewhat desolated area where we watch from a certain distance two men digging, in the middle of nowhere, what appears to be a grave. Soon after a few men carrying a coffin arrive for the interment. We have no clue as to who is the dead person, or why is this happening. Shortly after that, we see a lone man riding on a horse. A young man comes after the rider offering to accompany him in his quest.
The older man turns out to be Ignacio Carrillo, a Colombian accordion player, who has vowed never to play the instrument that has brought him such misery. He is on a quest to bring the instrument to the North of Colombia where his old teacher lives. Fermin, the young man, does not want anything in return. He comes along for the opportunity to be with a man that is considered the best exponent of the 'vallenato' music genre which is played in that region of Colombia. The musical style includes improvisation, as well as expert playing.
Ignacio, against his wishes, comes into an area where a competition of that regional music is being conducted. The reigning champion does what he can to intimidate opponents. Ignacio decides to give this man a run for his money, becoming the clear winner of the contest. A friend of the losing man, charges against Ignacio with a machete, cutting the instrument. Ignacio and Fermin make a detour to the mountains to see the only man that can fix the accordion.
As the duo continue toward the teacher's home, they encounter all sorts of unexpected violence which includes a duel between two opponents on a settlement constructed over the water on stilts. As they continue, Ignacio arrives at a place where another contest is going to take place, but the only two musicians that could accompany him, do not want to do so because of personal differences. Fermin steps to help his friend, but there is no magic in his playing. As they finally arrive to their destination, Ignacio and Fermin find the home of Guerra, the teacher, to a surprising encounter.
Ciro Guerra, the writer and director of this intriguing film, created a sort of road movie which instead of using the country's highways, uses many unknown areas of the Colombia countryside. The beauty of the many regions where the action takes place has seldom been seen; the poetic eye of Mr. Guerra has given the production a texture and a dimension seldom found in films from this part of the world. It is easy to become quite taken by the magnificent landscape, which only serves to emphasize the trek Ignacio has undertaken to do justice to his accordion.
One suspects Marciano Martinez and Yull Nunez, who give life to Ignacio and Fermin are non professionals. The same can be said about the rest of the people that appear in the film. Paolo Andres Perez, the cinematographer shows an innate sense for finding beauty in those far away places where the film was shot. The incidental music is by Ivan Ocampo that incorporates rhythms not well known to most of us.
The older man turns out to be Ignacio Carrillo, a Colombian accordion player, who has vowed never to play the instrument that has brought him such misery. He is on a quest to bring the instrument to the North of Colombia where his old teacher lives. Fermin, the young man, does not want anything in return. He comes along for the opportunity to be with a man that is considered the best exponent of the 'vallenato' music genre which is played in that region of Colombia. The musical style includes improvisation, as well as expert playing.
Ignacio, against his wishes, comes into an area where a competition of that regional music is being conducted. The reigning champion does what he can to intimidate opponents. Ignacio decides to give this man a run for his money, becoming the clear winner of the contest. A friend of the losing man, charges against Ignacio with a machete, cutting the instrument. Ignacio and Fermin make a detour to the mountains to see the only man that can fix the accordion.
As the duo continue toward the teacher's home, they encounter all sorts of unexpected violence which includes a duel between two opponents on a settlement constructed over the water on stilts. As they continue, Ignacio arrives at a place where another contest is going to take place, but the only two musicians that could accompany him, do not want to do so because of personal differences. Fermin steps to help his friend, but there is no magic in his playing. As they finally arrive to their destination, Ignacio and Fermin find the home of Guerra, the teacher, to a surprising encounter.
Ciro Guerra, the writer and director of this intriguing film, created a sort of road movie which instead of using the country's highways, uses many unknown areas of the Colombia countryside. The beauty of the many regions where the action takes place has seldom been seen; the poetic eye of Mr. Guerra has given the production a texture and a dimension seldom found in films from this part of the world. It is easy to become quite taken by the magnificent landscape, which only serves to emphasize the trek Ignacio has undertaken to do justice to his accordion.
One suspects Marciano Martinez and Yull Nunez, who give life to Ignacio and Fermin are non professionals. The same can be said about the rest of the people that appear in the film. Paolo Andres Perez, the cinematographer shows an innate sense for finding beauty in those far away places where the film was shot. The incidental music is by Ivan Ocampo that incorporates rhythms not well known to most of us.