In the vibrant world of filmmaking, Siembra Films, founded by Luisa Orozco and Jhon Hernandez, is dedicated to bridging cultures through storytelling. Their latest documentary, “Traveling Tribe: Colombia – A Path to El Dorado,” follows 30 Emiratis on their first journey to Colombia, showcasing the nation’s rich culture, entrepreneurial spirit, and social projects.
Inspired by a desire to connect Colombia’s entrepreneurial and cultural landscape with the Middle East, Luisa and Jhon collaborated with Álvaro Daza, Circolo Life, and Arts Dao. They faced numerous challenges, blending documentary and reality formats to capture an authentic narrative across Bogotá, Medellín, and Cartagena.
The documentary aims to break stereotypes and showcase Colombia’s vibrant market and culture. The positive reception at Arts Dao Fest and AIM Congress has fueled their ambition to expand into a comprehensive series. As they continue to tell transformative stories, Siembra Films remains committed to inspiring and connecting audiences through their work.
Luisa and Jhon spoke with Latin&Gulf about this experience in a delightful interview:
What inspired you to create “Traveling Tribe Colombia: The Path to El Dorado,” and how did the concept for the documentary come about?
Luisa Orozco: The idea originated from creating a story that bridges entrepreneurship, government, and social projects in Bogotá. This journey involved 30 Emiratis visiting Colombia for the first time, organized by Álvaro Daza with Circulo Life. We connected with the Bogotá Chamber of Commerce, learned about this trip, and proposed to Álvaro and Arts Dao, the largest digital art community in the Middle East, to document this journey.
Can you tell us about the journey and challenges you faced while filming?
Luisa Orozco: We faced numerous challenges, primarily managing 30 people over 19 days with multiple activities. As documentarians, we combined a documentary and reality format, getting to know the participants daily without extensive pre-production. This approach required us to discover the story as we went along, posing significant audiovisual challenges in narrating and finding depth in the unfolding story, which ultimately became a major strength of the final product.
How did you choose the locations featured in the documentary, and what significance do they hold?
Luisa Orozco: The trip included over 15 to 30 events, averaging four to five daily, spanning government, entrepreneurship, culture, and social projects. Selecting which visits to highlight was challenging because each had unique impacts. We decided to showcase Bogotá, Medellín, and Cartagena, emphasizing each city’s best aspects in entrepreneurship, culture, and art. Our aim was to connect with the events that resonated most with the participants culturally and emotionally and reflect this connection in the documentary.
What were some of the most memorable experiences or encounters you had during the production of the documentary?
Luisa Orozco: There were many memorable moments. For each traveler, the experiences varied, but one that stood out for us was visiting Comuna 13. This area, once notoriously dangerous, has been transformed through art. Seeing how the community has driven this change, filling the area with art, music, and dance, was powerful. Witnessing the art collectors from the UAE being deeply moved by this transformation was beautiful.
Additionally, we met a remarkable social leader named Baby. He runs a food security project for single mothers, growing crops on rooftops so they can work without leaving their children unattended, thereby avoiding the risks of gang involvement. This blend of art, social change, and personal impact was one of the most significant and beautiful aspects of the journey for everyone involved.
How does the documentary aim to portray the cultural and historical aspects of Colombia?
Jhon Hernandez: The documentary captures the cultural and historical essence of Colombia by highlighting the diverse experiences in three major cities: Bogotá, Medellín, and Cartagena. In Bogotá, the visitors explored the birthplace of the nation, witnessing the hub of industry and entrepreneurship. In Medellín, they saw the fusion of traditional coffee culture with cutting-edge technology, including NFTs and Web 3.0 developments. Cartagena offered a glimpse into Colombia’s colonial history, with its rich blend of European influences, music, and language. Through these cities, the documentary presents a comprehensive view of Colombia’s history and culture.
What message or impact do you hope viewers will take away from “Traveling Tribe Colombia: The Path to El Dorado”?
Jhon Hernandez: Our primary message is to present a different narrative about Colombia, challenging existing perceptions and showcasing the country’s diverse offerings. We aim for the documentary to be a cultural and artistic tool that highlights Colombia’s potential to the world, especially to the Emirati visitors who experienced Colombia firsthand. By connecting with government officials, artists, and exploring historically significant neighborhoods, we hope to inspire viewers to look beyond stereotypes and see Colombia as a vibrant, opportunity-rich country. Ultimately, we want this documentary to emotionally resonate with viewers, encouraging them to explore, invest in, or simply experience Colombia in a new light. It’s about breaking prejudices and showing that Colombia has much more to offer than what is commonly known.
Can you share any behind-the-scenes stories or interesting anecdotes from the making of the documentary?
Jhon Hernandez: Many moments didn’t make it into the final 42-minute documentary due to time constraints, condensing a 15-day journey into such a short film. One interesting anecdote is that while we were in Medellín, some of the travelers were so captivated by the city that they decided to stay there instead of continuing to Cartagena. This spontaneous decision showed how much Medellín resonated with them.
Another noteworthy story involves a family with two small children who participated in every single activity throughout the 15 days, just like Luisa and I, the documentary filmmakers. It was inspiring to see how committed and enthusiastic they were about the entire experience.
Behind the scenes, our days were intense. We filmed from 6 AM to 10 PM, then spent hours organizing and editing footage, creating daily Instagram updates. Our typical workdays lasted about 22 hours. This hard work and dedication were essential to achieving the final result, though it’s something viewers don’t usually see.
How has the reception been to the trailer, and what feedback have you received so far?
Luisa Orozco: The response to the trailer has been incredible. Initially, we showcased the documentary at the Arts Dao Fest, a festival for art collectors who traveled to Colombia. This exposure led to an invitation to present at the AIM Congress, a significant global investment event.
Presenting a full-length documentary from Latin America at such a prestigious congress was groundbreaking. It highlighted the innovation and talent within our region, coinciding with a forum focused on Latin America and the Caribbean. This was very meaningful, as it underscored our readiness as a region, showcasing our wealth of resources, innovation, and cutting-edge talents.
The positive reception has fueled our ambition to create a more comprehensive documentary series. We aim to delve deeper into these visionary individuals and the seemingly impossible paths they’ve paved for our region. Our goal is to continue telling these impactful stories and expand on the successes showcased in the trailer.
What are your future plans for “Traveling Tribe Colombia: The Path to El Dorado,” and are there any upcoming projects or screenings we should look out for?
Luisa Orozco: Currently, we are wrapping up a documentary about Colombian photographer Hernán Díaz. This project, in collaboration with Quinto Color and Colombia’s public television, highlights how art transcends time and space, influencing generations worldwide. Additionally, we are working on a fiction series about a Colombian visual artist, also in association with Quinto Color.
In the Middle East, our immediate focus is on contributing to the narrative of leadership and vision we’ve observed here. We aim to connect these stories with Latin America through documentaries, showcasing how leadership transforms communities. Our goal is to highlight these narratives, whether they are happening in Latin America or globally, and we hope to continue making an impact through art and storytelling.
Moreover, as people gain a clearer understanding of Latin America’s reality and potential, other opportunities will naturally follow. We are excited to be part of this movement and to contribute to the visibility of our region’s rich cultural heritage.
(C) Latin&Gulf 2024.-
