From political dramas to US studio-backed thrillers, Hugo Chaparro Valderrama looks at some of the hottest Colombian titles gearing up for 2011 — and the talent behind them

The past few years have seen a steady stream of impressive Colombian films, showcasing the territory’s diversity and depth of talent. And 2011 will continue the trend with a host of projects ranging from intimate dramas to splashy genre fare.

All Your Dead Ones, directed by Carlos Moreno, recently screened in the World Cinema Dramatic Competition at Sundance, the director’s second film to play there after his 2008 debut Dog Eat Dog.

Produced by 64-A Films, All Your Dead Ones tells the story of a farmer who wakes on election day to discover abandoned corpses in his crops. The film also screened at Rotterdam.

Colombia’s violent political history is the subject of another anticipated title, The Squad, produced and directed by Jaime Osorio Marquez. The thriller follows a squad of soldiers sent to a military base in a desolate high-plains moor, which is believed to have been the target of a guerrilla attack. The only person there is a heavily chained peasant woman.

In post, the film is produced by Rhayuela Cine. Wild Bunch began pre-selling the film at the American Film Market last year, where it was picked up by territories including the UK, Germany, Spain and Argentina.

Also highly anticipated for 2011 is Bunker, directed by Andres Baiz (Satanas) and co-produced by Fox International Productions and Dynamo, with Cactus Flower and Avalon from Spain. In post, the film is a psychological thriller about love, jealousy and betrayal.

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