Looks good. It comes out in August 5/2005

SECUESTRO EXPRESS

Release Date: August 5, 2005 (NY, LA)
Studio: Miramax Films
Director: Jonathan Jakubowicz
Screenwriter: Jonathan Jakubowicz
Starring: Mía Maestro, Rubén Blades, Pedro Perez, Carlos Madera, Jean Paul Leroux, Dalila Colombo, Elba Escobar, Dimas González, Balmore Moreno, Ermahn Ospina, Rider
Genre: Action, Drama, Thriller
MPAA Rating: R (for strong violence, drug use, sexuality and language)



Every sixty minutes a person is abducted in Latin America. 70% of the victims do not survive. "Secuestro Express" is the frightening story of one young couple's ordeal as they careen through the underbelly of Caracas, Venezuela in the hands of three thugs who've made them their latest payday.

Carla (Maestro) and Martin (Leroux) are a young upper-class couple fresh off of a night of dancing and partying when they cross paths with Trece (Molina), Budu (Perez) and Niga (Madera), three men who make their living by kidnapping unwitting young adults to extort quick money from their wealthy parents.

Carla and Martin become their next victims and are sent on a terrifying overnight journey through Caracas as they wait for Carla's father Sergio (Blades) to hand over twenty thousand dollas - a small amount for a rich Caraqueno, but the equivalent of almost 5 years of the Venezuelan minimum wage.

The Trailer

http://www.ifilm.com/ifilmdetail/2673399?htv=12


CLIP

http://www.customflix.com/Special/AFIFEST/2004/Film.html?SECUE

Uh, is this out now? I've been starting to hear some reviews and information trickle through the internet.

it appears to be playing in only three theaters nationwide: Miami, and Sunrise, FL and Dallas Texas.

You probably missed it in NY, since it was supposed to open in NY on 8-5-05. does sound pretty interesting, though

Yeah it was only in limited release but the DVD is coming out January 3/2006.

Talk about trouble! This poor director is getting sued and threatened.
Glad we live in a country where we can state opinions and express them.

http://www.thedailyjournalonline.com/article.asp?CategoryId=10717&ArticleId=202425


This one talks with Elizabeth Avellán, Robert Rodriguez wife who produced the movie....

http://www.statesman.com/metrostate/content/metro/stories/11/1secuestro.html

I saw it a couple of months ago. Definitely recommendable. My review from the Everyone's A Critic-forum:

"B+

It was a nice surprise. Secuestro Express is a small, dirty flick that grabds you by the throat and rarely lets go. It's a pretty realistic and frightening portrayal of crime (and especially kidnapping) in Caracas, Venezuela, at the same time making a statement about the conditions the people live in there.

The movie doesn't take long to get started as the couple is kidnapped about 15 minutes into the film. After that it keeps you on the edge of the seat for most of the time. It would have been a truly great film if not for two things: For one, an absolutely random and stupid scene in the middle of the film (gay sex during a kidnapping?!) and for another, the ending that was a bit too clichéd and unrealistic for its own good, especially compared to the realistic and gritty feel of the rest of the film.

The acting is splendid by everyone, especially Mia Maestro. The film is tense, engaging and it does have something to say too. One thing to get used to is the shaky, often-blurred cinematography, but otherwise, well-done technically as well."

This is a fantastic movie. I agree with everything Lecter says. Very eye opening about Latin America's ordeals, and why it won't be getting any better in the future.