Photo credit: Janet Donovan
“I have to remain neutral now. I’m a voting member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences,” said CEO of MPAA Chris Dodd at a screening of the Colombian film Embrace of the Serpent, nominated for an OSCAR in the Foreign Film category. “But I can be available Mr. Ambassador. It’s an incredibly high honor to be nominated and this is a very special occasion, not just because Colombia has a great film that has been nominated, but this is the very first time Colombia has ever had a film nominated for an Academy Oscar: So congratulations to Colombia.”
Chris Dodd and Amb. Pinzon
“We also had a great evening not long ago at the Embassy with President Santos who was here in Washington for a State visit. The Ambassador and his wife Pilar hosted a wonderful gathering at the residence and a wonderful evening to celebrate the fifteen years ago plight of Colombia. In those days, I was a member of the United States Senate,” Dodd added, “and I was either the chairing or the ranking member of the subcommittee dealing with the Americas and was honored to be working with our friends in Colombia to start to bring about a process which has resulted we hope in the coming days of a permanent peace agreement. What a great day it will be and how richly deserving Colombia [will be] to have peace after this many years. We respect the political leadership and the civil leadership of the country about to bring about that final accord.”
Hollywood on the Potomac chatted with Ambassador Pinzon prior to the screening to discuss Colombia’s new status in the world of film. “First of all, it’s great news to have this Colombian film nominated for an Oscar. It’s historic for Colombia, so I’m sure it will encourage more Colombian film-makers to do more to present our country to the world,” he told us. ” Second, I think there are several reasons why this is going on. There are interesting entrepreneurs pushing, investing, and trying to make bets for good films like the one we’re going to see tonight. Also, the government has new policies that offer some cash rebates to investors in the Colombian market in a way that we can attract more investors. I think this and the change that is happening in Colombia – which is now more peaceful, more secure – is another reason. Having a better life for our people suddenly makes this a good mix to have what we have now. What we’re trying to do is really to present what’s going on in Colombia and really use culture as a good way of diplomacy to let the people know about our country and to introduce those who are experts in these fields of film making about this film – and hopefully help this film to get an Oscar.
Ambassador Pinzon
Chris Dodd on his relationship to Colombia:
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