Caliwood Retrospective: Pura Sangre (Pure Blood)

Dive into the shocking, political underbelly of Colombia’s cinematic history with Pure Blood (Pura Sangre), an uncompromising horror thriller masterpiece directed by Luis Ospina and dedicated to the memory of legendary writer Andrés Caicedo.

Synopsis:

The city bleeds with fear as a succession of local youths die under macabre, deeply mysterious circumstances. Behind the terror sits Roberto Hurtado, an extraordinarily wealthy sugar magnate from the Valle del Cauca who suffers from a rare, terminal illness requiring continuous blood transfusions to stay alive. To source this life/force, his corrupt son commands a sinister, blackmailed trio, Florencia, Perfecto, and Ever, who prowl the city streets to hunt down unsuspecting victims. Fusing visceral body/horror with biting social commentary, Pura Sangre stands tall as a landmark piece of Latin American socio political genre filmmaking.

Event Details

• Date: 16th July 2026
• Time: 18:00
• Venue: Cinema Genesis
• Special Guests: Assistant producer Alina Hleap.

ℹ️ Film Details

• Language: Spanish (with English Subtitles)
• Runtime: 105minutes
• Director: Luis Ospina
• Cast: Carlos Mayolo, Florina Lemaitre, Humberto Arango, Luis Alberto García, Gilberto "Fly" Forero, Patricia Bonilla, Rita Escobar, Álvaro Gutiérrez, César Muñóz
• 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 general objective, this retrospective proudly presents uncommon cinematographic narratives that deliberately look past global headlines of violence and drugs. By redirecting the international lens toward the underlying magic, deep resilience, immense talent, and creative dreams at the heart of Colombian culture, the program offers a nuanced, richer portrait of the nation's identity.

Central to this celebration is honoring Cali as an indispensable, historic powerhouse hub for the Colombian film industry. During the 1970s and 1980s, the radical collective known as the "Cali Group", spearheaded by cinematic trailblazers Luis Ospina, Carlos Mayolo, and Andrés Caicedo, completely revolutionized national art. They birthed the legendary "Tropical Gothic" genre, a stylistic rebellion that intelligently appropriated classic Western horror tropes (vampirism, decay, monsters) and grafted them onto the sweltering landscapes and severe socio-economic divides of Colombia.

By bringing Pura Sangre to London audiences, the festival proudly highlights the exceptional historic maturity, archival preservation, and aesthetic sophistication of Colombia's cinema history. It provides a timeless example of how Colombian filmmakers constructed a distinct, rebellious visual language to critique power and class, proving that the roots of contemporary Colombian cinema are just as bold, layered, and impactful as its modern successors.

Don't miss this incredibly rare opportunity to see an absolute cult classic of Latin American "Tropical Gothic" cinema beautifully projected 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.