Official Selection: Yo Vi Tres Luces Negras (I Saw Three Black Lights)

Immerse yourself in a hypnotic, sensory journey through the Colombian jungle with I Saw Three Black Lights (Yo vi tres luces negras), an internationally acclaimed feature film selected for the Panorama section of the 74th Berlin International Film Festival.

Synopsis:

The story follows José de los Santos, a strong and proud man living in a village on the Colombian Pacific coast who, since childhood, has preserved the ancestral art of mortuary rituals. Bound by a deep commitment to the souls in purgatory, he carries the heavy burden of never having been able to pray over or bury his son, Pium Pium, who was violently disappeared. When the spirit of his son visits him to announce that his own death is drawing near, José must venture deep into the untamed jungle to locate the exact place where his destiny dictates he must die. Blurring the lines between deep-rooted spiritual folklore and contemporary reality, the film balances a profound respect for ancestral transitions against the looming threat of the local armed conflict

Event Details

• Date: 17th July 2026
• Time: 18:00
• Venue: Cinema Genesis
• Special Guests.
• Restriction: Strictly 18+

ℹ️ Film Details

• • • Language: Spanish (with English Subtitles)
    • Runtime: 90 minutes
    • Director: Santiago Lozano Álvarez
    • Cast: Jesús María Mina (as José de los Santos), Julián Ramirez (as Pium Pium), Carol Hurtado (as Teresa), John Alex Castillo (as Comandante)

⚠️ 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 serves as the centerpiece of the first London Colombian Film Festival. Operating in direct alignment with the festival's overarching general objective, this selection aims to present uncommon cinematographic narratives that consciously move beyond the habitual global headlines of violence and drugs. By shifting the focus toward the underlying magic, deep resilience, immense talent, and artistic dreams at the core of Colombian culture, the curated selection provides international audiences with a far more nuanced portrait of the country's vibrant identity.

This screening perfectly embodies the festival's defining theme: "Celebrating Diversity of Voices." I Saw Three Black Lights serves as a crucial lens into Afro-Colombian cosmology, specifically spotlighting the mortuary rituals and spiritual philosophies of the Pacific coast. The title itself stems from a beautiful, poetic Afro-Colombian expression describing souls in transition between the worlds of the living and the dead. By addressing the wounds of forced displacement and historical trauma through the traditional practice of ancestral mourning and generational knowledge transmission, the film amplifies a distinct, peripheral voice that is rarely seen in mainstream cinema. It stands as a testament to the aesthetic maturity of contemporary Colombian filmmakers who use genre and folklore to foster deep cultural dialogue.

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

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