![\"Luis\"](\"https:\/\/seecolombia.travel\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/luis1-e1367342881965.jpg\")
<\/a>First of all, could you give us a little introduction about yourself and your upcoming film?<\/h3>\n
I was born in the US and both my parents are Colombian. \u00a0The first and last time I was in Colombia, I was two and a half years old and it was 1973. \u00a0Even though I\u2019ve only been there that one time, I\u2019ve always felt a strong connection to the country and its people.\u00a0 In my upcoming documentary, “A Journey to Colombia” I want to give the audience insight into my search for understanding my identity, family history and Colombian heritage.<\/p>\n
The film highlights these themes through stories from various family members, notable Colombians and Colombian Americans spanning back to the 1930\u2019s.\u00a0 However, while the individual stories are unique, they are experiences that a much larger audience can easily relate to.<\/p>\n
Together with my cousin, Orlando Villamizar the Director of Photography and Scott Davis, our producer, we\u2019ve been working on the film for about 12 months and we start filming this July in Colombia.<\/p>\n
What is it that you hope to achieve with this film?<\/h3>\n
The goal of the documentary is to educate the audience about the beauty of Colombia and the Colombian people while contradicting Hollywood-stereotypes by displaying the country\u2019s diverse culture, economic advances and the resilience of the people.<\/p>\n
On your Indiegogo page, you say a question often asked is “where are you from?”. How do you answer that, and has your answer changed since working on this project?<\/h3>\n
Well I\u2019ve always understood that question to mean what is my heritage. I\u2019ve always said I\u2019m Colombian but I\u2019ll go on to say that I was born in the states and both my parents are from Colombia. \u00a0Since we\u2019ve been working on the project my answer hasn\u2019t changed but I\u2019ve had the opportunity to speak to more people about being asked that question. By necessity, I believe we must all try to comprehend the experience of being different in the United States, to see how each individual finds his or her way in society.\u00a0 I hope \u201cA Journey to Colombia\u201d will start a dialogue about what we see, who we are, and the changing face of the American family.<\/p>\n Even now with the popularity of some Spanish soap-operas and movies, which I won\u2019t name, they\u2019re getting popular by displaying the violence and drugs that still overcast the country.\u00a0 I get it, sex, violence and drugs sell but I believe that it\u2019s time to show a new Colombia.\u00a0 I truly believe that by completing it, our film can change people\u2019s perspectives and we can present this beautiful country & people before a broad, international audience.\u00a0 While this is a compelling human interest story, the film has the potential to start a\u00a0positive,<\/i><\/strong>\u00a0<\/em>new narrative for Colombia.<\/p>\n Most of the time, I hear negative comments. \u00a0When I\u2019ve told people I\u2019m Colombian, they try to be funny with a joke or comment about cocaine. There have been many times when I\u2019ve had to educate people that we\u2019re not all drug dealers, drug users or killers. Other times, people have no clue where Colombia is on a map.\u00a0 Of course in cities with a large Latino or Colombian population, like Miami or New York, people are more knowledgeable because of the influence we have in those communities.<\/p>\n Absolutely. \u00a0In just the last 12 months that we\u2019ve been working on the film, Colombia has been in the news and for the most part in a positive way. \u00a0We\u2019ve seen that in the Olympics, being named in the top travel destinations for 2013, Medellin named ‘most innovative city’,\u00a0 social media campaigns like, \u201cIt\u2019s Colombia NOT Columbia\u201d, major companies like Marriott building new hotels in Bogota, Cali and Cartagena.\u00a0 The country is really pushing forward and making huge strides.\u00a0 All of these things and much more are playing a large role in the continued emergence of Colombia.<\/p>\n We\u2019ll be filming in Barranquilla, Cartagena, Sincelejo, Tol\u00fa and Bogot\u00e1 this summer.\u00a0 My family is from la Costa Norte, so we\u2019ll be up there and then in Bogot\u00e1 since it\u2019s the capital.\u00a0 I tell people that the family story is what drives the film.\u00a0 You\u2019ll see interviews of not only family members but of other people along my journey.\u00a0 Right now we have recording artists Lisandro Meza, Juan Jose Meza and Jeffrey \u201cLil Duey\u201d Meza, a Historian and others speaking about topics such as Colombian culture, the economy, travel and tourism, etc., all positive.<\/p>\n This last year has been amazing. \u00a0Through our social media channels, I\u2019ve met so many wonderful people around the world from Scotland to California, from Canada to Colombia, who are supporting the film. \u00a0I\u2019ve spoken to many people who have similar \u201cjourneys\u201d or stories.\u00a0 Every time I come across someone new, I\u2019m touched by their words of encouragement and their interest in what we\u2019re doing, I feel truly honored. This experience has shown me that there are many people out there that can relate to my story or the positive message that we aim to show in the film.<\/p>\n It\u2019s also given me a new sense of responsibility.\u00a0 I feel that a lot of people are looking at what we\u2019re doing and could use it as a guide in their own journeys.\u00a0 Whether that is finding their roots, rediscovering or visiting their country, this is one of those films that can be make people think about their own lives and what they are doing to preserve their culture and beliefs as well as how they pass that on to the younger generations and their children.<\/p>\n We currently have a crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo that was set-up to help us with the production cost of the film. \u00a0Here people can contribute by picking a perk category which they will receive certain items in exchange for their donation. People can also donate any amount they wish via credit card online. \u00a0You get to enjoy some pretty amazing perks by helping to support our film plus, donations are tax-deductible via our 501c3 fiscal sponsor, Fractured Atlas<\/em>. <\/i>\u00a0To donate, please visit the Indiegogo campaign page: \u00a0http:\/\/igg.me\/at\/AJTC\/x\/2934056<\/a><\/p>\n We are aiming for an early 2014 premiere. \u00a0Once we get back to the states from Colombia this summer we have a few interviews to do and then move into post-production which will last about 3-4 months. \u00a0We are planning to submit the film or a short version to film festivals, those of which start in February and March.\u00a0 In the meantime, please join us on our website and follow the journey on our social media pages below.\u00a0 Thank you!<\/p>\n Get in touch with Luis at A Journey to Colombia using the following links:<\/p>\n Website:\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 http:\/\/www.ajourneytocolombia.com\/ Today we’re talking to Luis Eduardo Villamizar, who is in the process of creating a film documenting his journey finding out about himself, his heritage and Colombia. Many Colombians left the country during the 70s and 80s in search of a life away from the troubles, but as we know, Colombia continues to push forward, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":7779,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0},"categories":[626,4,1667,66,97],"tags":[2881,58,345],"yoast_head":"\n![\"Luis](\"https:\/\/seecolombia.travel\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/461284_431467476905839_156603941_o-e1367343050992.jpg\")
<\/a>Why do you think it’s important that this film is being made?<\/h3>\n
In your travels and during your life in the States, what have you seen as the perception of Colombia?<\/h3>\n
Do you think it’s changing?<\/h3>\n
What do you hope to show of Colombia during the film?<\/h3>\n
Speaking more personally, how has this journey affected you?<\/h3>\n
How can people help?<\/h3>\n
When will it be released?<\/h3>\n
\n<\/a>Facebook:\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/AJourneytoColombia
\n<\/a>Twitter:\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 https:\/\/twitter.com\/JrnytoColombia<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"