Colombian film Los Hongos is definitely not about shrooms but it sure is a trip. Director Oscar Ruiz Navia (El Vuelco Del Cangrejo, 2009) turned to his native Cali to show the undercurrents of a place that, besides being Western Colombia’s most densely populated city, holds the story of Ras and Calvin, two skateboarding-riding partners in crime. Their crime is street art.
Every night after work at a construction site, Ras throws up pieces in his neighborhood in East Cali. He is the son of a single mother who is convinced that she needs to rid him of his demons. One day, Ras loses his job after stealing paint and without a cent to his name, he goes across town in search of Calvin, another young grafitero.
In the slice of life moments of the pair’s conversations, Los Hongos boasts baladas, boleros and bursting colors, together with insurgent art student girls and would be brilliant street artists.
Los Hongos had its Puerto Rican debut (wepa) at the San Juan International Film Festival after premiering at the Toronto International Film Fest and winning a special jury prize at Festival de Film Locarno in Italy. LA-based FiGa films has announced that Los Hongos will surely be making the rounds at film festivals in your favorite Remezcla cities soon.
Los Hongos is playing during New Directors/New Films on Saturday, March 28, 9:30pm & Sunday, March 29, 4pm in New York. Visit newdirectors.org for details.