Caliwood Retrospective: LA MANSIÓN DE ARAUCAIMA (The Mansion of Araucaima)

Step into the humid, psychological labyrinth of La Mansión de Araucaima (1986), a foundational masterpiece of Colombian cinema directed by the legendary Carlos Mayolo.

La Mansión de Araucaima Trailer

Synopsis:

Set within a mysterious, decaying tropical estate, a bizarre, eccentric assortment of characters cohabit under a tense equilibrium : an equivocal heir, a nameless friar, a stranded pilot, an obedient Haitian servant, a mercenary guardian, and the Machiche, a dominant, brutal woman who commands them all. This fragile environment of repressed anxiety and raw erotics is radically upended when a young advertising model unexpectedly stumbles into the estate, triggering a explosive spiral of violence, desire, and madness.

Event Details

• Date: 14th July 2026
• Time: 18:00
• Venue: Cinema Genesis

Special Guests: Assistant producer Alina Hleap.

ℹ️ Film Details

• Language: Spanish (with English Subtitles)
• Runtime: 85 minutes
• Director: Carlos Mayolo
• Cast: Adriana Herrán, Vicky Hernández, José Lewgoy, Antonio Pitanga, Carlos Mayolo, Alejandro Buenaventura, Luis Fernando Montoya
• Restriction: Strictly 18+

⚠️ Seats are limited for this special Q&A event. Book your tickets now to guarantee entry.

Short Description: The Retrospective & Festival Context

The Caliwood Retrospective serves as a vital cornerstone of the first edition of the London Colombian Film Festival. In alignment with the festival's overarching mission, this retrospective aims to move past the superficial global headlines of violence and drugs, redirecting the spotlight onto the rich magic, deep talent, and artistic dreams at the core of Colombian identity.

Central to this celebration is honoring Cali as an indispensable, powerhouse hub for the Colombian film industry. During the 1970s and 1980s, the radical collective known as "The Cali Group" (spearheaded by pioneers Carlos Mayolo, Luis Ospina, and Andrés Caicedo) revolutionized national art by anchoring it in an uninhibited, urban, and intensely localized perspective. They introduced the groundbreaking "Tropical Gothic" genre, a style that cleverly fused traditional Western gothic horror tropes (decay, ghosts, the macabre) with the sweltering landscapes and deep socio-political trauma of postcolonial Colombia.

By showcasing La Mansión de Araucaima, the festival proudly charts the historic maturity and aesthetic sophistication of Colombia’s cinematic industry. It provides international audiences a unique window into how Colombian filmmakers masterfully subverted global genres to construct a complex, distinct cinematic language of their own, proving that the history of Colombian film is as bold, resilient, and profound as its contemporary counterparts.

Join us at Genesis Cinema for a rare opportunity to experience an uninhibited cult classic of Latin American cinema on the big screen!

The London Colombian Film Festival is organised by COL FILMS LIMITED.

Entry is strictly for ages 18+. Management reserves the right to refuse entry.