Sumas y restas

Sumas y restas is set in Medellín in the 1980s, when the drugs cartel of Pablo Escobar was at the height of its power. Victor Gaviria, himself a natuve of Medellín, considers the time right for a realistic portrait of this industry. He spent a lot of time on research and allowed many characters to be played by people who could draw on their own experiences. The drug dealers in the film spend more time operating calculators than rifles (in this film there are ‘only’ two deaths); most of the work is done by smooth talk in Colombian slang. The respectable engineer Santiago needs some money fast for a new building project. Through an old friend from his wild years, he gets to know Gerardo, a garage owner who wants to build a drug lab in the countryside. Santiago invests and before he knows it, he’s up to his ears in the lucrative export trade to Miami. In view of Escobar’s monopoly, the two are on dangerous ground. It doesn’t take long before Santiago who, like his colleagues, likes to taste his own wares, is in conflict with everyone – even with Gerardo, whose son is killed. The handheld camera and occasionally high-speed montage suck the viewer all the way into the rise and fall of Santiago. The convincing actors are non-professionals; for instance, Gerardo is excellently played by Fabio Estrepo, a taxi driver in real life. (GT)