Official Selection: FAREWELL TO THE FRIEND (Adiós al Amigo)

Synopsis:

Set in 1902 during the brutal embers of the Thousand Days' War—Colombia's defining civil conflict—Farewell to the Friend (Adiós al Amigo) is a striking, critically acclaimed revisionist Western.

The story follows Alfredo Duarte Amado, a revolutionary soldier who receives word that his brother’s wife is pregnant. Stranded in the vast mountains and fleeing from his former comrades, Alfredo forms an unlikely alliance with an amateur photographer and a local female tobacco worker. Together, they embark on a dangerous trek through the breathtaking but harsh terrains of the Chicamocha Canyon. Bound by the violent debts left in the wake of war, their journey evolves into an atmospheric adventure that cuts straight to the historical heart of the nation.

Winner of the Special Jury Prize at the 37th Tokyo International Film Festival.

Event Details

• Date: 15th July 2026
• Time: 18:00
• Venue: Cinema Genesis
• Special Guests.
• Restriction: Strictly 18+

ℹ️ Film Details

• • Language: Spanish (with English Subtitles)
  • Runtime: 118 minutes
  • Director: Iván David Gaona
  • Cast: Willington Gordillo Duarte, Cristian Hernández Castillo, Marina Olarte, Alfonso López, Yohanini Suárez, Salvador Bridges, Suetonio Hernández, Julio Valencia, Rodrigo Santamaría, Taja Seweri, Penakjuanene Llano.

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

Short Description: The Official Selection & Festival Context

The Official Selection forms the living pulse of the first London Colombian Film Festival. In perfect harmony with the festival's overarching general objective, this selection intentionally showcases uncommon cinematographic narratives that break away from the predictable global headlines of violence and drugs. By turning the spotlight onto Colombia's profound resilience, rich magic, artistic talent, and dreams, the Official Selection invites international audiences to discover the true nuance of contemporary Colombian culture.

Centering heavily on the festival's defining theme, "Celebrating Diversity of Voices," Farewell to the Friend champions perspectives that are rarely captured on the global stage. Rather than relying on a traditional Hollywood narrative, the production company (La ContraBanda) heavily emphasizes the weight of rural, peripheral, and peasant spaces. Filmed on location in the department of Santander, the film brings forward localized storytelling by utilizing a cast composed primarily of local residents from the town of Güepsa. Furthermore, the inclusion of Indigenous Yamalero actors explicitly expands the dialogue, theorizing on the forgotten, complex roles of Indigenous peoples within historic conflicts.

Through this masterful blend of revisionist genre-filmmaking and inclusive casting, the film exemplifies the robust aesthetic maturity and multi-faceted identity of contemporary Colombian cinema, perfectly capturing the vibrant spirit of creative diversity the festival aims to celebrate in London.

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

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