First feature film on Gabo   

  (Leer la versión en español, abajo)

My dream is to film the first full-length feature about Colombian writer Gabriel García Márquez – known affectionately as “Gabo.”

1. Who is Gabo?

• Gabo is a familiar nickname for Gabriel García Márquez, a renowned Colombian writer and Nobel Prize laureate in Literature.
• To know more about Gabo click on: 

   

2. What is “A Coffee for Gabo” about?

• The movie tells the story of a young Gabo, a newspaper reporter, who befriends an illiterate orphan boy, who serves him coffee at his work desk. Their bond allows them to grow and overcome life struggles, achieving success through a shared love for literature.

3. Who is directing the film?

• The film is directed by Hernando Olivares, an experienced film promoter, college professor, and film critic based in the US.

• During the 1990s, he served as a video producer for Intercor, an Exxon subsidiary that operated Cerrejon, the largest coal mine in Latin America and the tenth largest in the world. During this period, he directed over 15 documentaries, encompassing both direct narratives and institutional pieces.

  Hernando grew up in Colombia, surrounded by tales of Gabo, who had worked at a local newspaper. Hernando’s mother ran a small cafeteria, where the future writer received his daily doses of coffee.

  Now, after three decades dedicated to teaching and writing about film and literature, Hernando is poised to bring to life a script chronicling Gabo’s extraordinary journey as a writer. This project marks a significant milestone for him, as he embarks on the cinematic portrayal of the young Gabo, capturing his initial steps towards becoming a literary legend.

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• 4. How is the story told in the film?

• The story unfolds against the backdrops of New York and Barranquilla, the very city where Gabo sharped his skills as a journalist and embarked on his path as a novelist. The film will embrace a naturalistic style, finding its allure in the genuine human experiences rather than in elaborate aesthetics. Its tone will be shaped by the interplay of human quirks, existential struggles, and the palpable unease of an uncertain future. All of this will be juxtaposed with a generous infusion of humor.

• At the core of this cinematic narrative are two pivotal settings: The newsroom that fuels Gabo’s creativity, and the cafeteria where the young orphan, Mingo, serves up cups of comfort. The film will predominantly employ a steady, fixed camera, complemented by occasional use of a hand-held camera to intimately track the characters’ movements and emotional flux. Throughout the narrative, a subtle yet evocative sound design will work in tandem with the characters’ perspectives, enriching the audience’s connection with the story.

5. Why is it relevant to make this movie?

• As the world approaches the 10th anniversary of García Márquez’s passing, an upcoming movie promises to be an inspirational journey, shedding light on how he harnessed the power of creative writing to transcend poverty and ultimately emerge as a celebrated novelist, earning him the prestigious Nobel Prize in Literature. Surprisingly, no one has ventured to create a film centered on this remarkable narrative until now. This project is set to be the inaugural full-length feature dedicated to Gabo, and it calls for your participation and support to transform it into a global and social shared experience
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6. What progress has been made on the project?

• The film script has been polished to its final version, and the budget has been firmly established. We’ve successfully completed location scouting, script breakdown, and the filming script. Notably, acclaimed actors Hector Medina and Ernesto Reyes have shown keen interest in the project. Casting is underway, and we anticipate finalizing this crucial aspect before the close of 2023. Additionally, we’re pleased to announce that we’ve secured a producer and a skilled cinematographer for the project.
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• 7. Who are the actors in the film?

• The movie stars Ernesto Reyes and Héctor Medina, both accomplished actors with impressive resumes. You can learn more about them through their respective IMDb and YouTube links provided in the text below.

8. Who is behind the project?

• The project is supported by Caribe Films and Corpocaribe, two film production companies based in Colombia, providing necessary equipment for filming and postproduction.
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• Click to watch: https://exploracolombia.corpocaribe.com/

• Click to watch:  http://www.caribefilms.co

• This independent project has garnered the backing of Caribe Films and Corpocaribe, two indie film production companies located in Colombia. They will supply all essential equipment, including cameras and lighting, for both the filming process and postproduction tasks such as editing and sound design. You can explore some of the incredible movies they’ve contributed to through the links provided above.

  Our production will unfold across captivating locations in both Colombia and the USA. What sets our team apart is our commitment to inclusivity and diversity. We’re dedicated to ensuring that at least 75% of our crew members hail from underrepresented backgrounds in the film and TV industry, spanning diverse class, race, gender, disability, and LGBTQIA+ perspectives.

• 9. How can I support the project?

• If you find this project inspiring, you have the opportunity to contribute financially, here in this page. Your support will be allocated towards covering various expenses, including actor salaries, lodging, transportation, meals, and insurance. The movie is currently in the pre-production and production phases. Post-production is expected to conclude by April 2024. Your financial assistance will play a crucial role in bringing this project to life. 
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10. How can I stay updated and share this project?

• You can follow the progress of “A Coffee for Gabo” and share it with fellow film lovers to help make this indie project a worldwide social experience. Your support is greatly appreciated on this artistic journey.

If you have any further questions or require additional information, feel free to reach out. Thank you for your interest in “A Coffee for Gabo”!

More details about the actors of the film is provided below

Ernesto Reyes 

Ernesto Reyes, an accomplished American actor, embarked on his acting journey at a young age. Over the course of two decades, he has made significant contributions to various TV series, including notable appearances in shows like “American Gods,” the acclaimed Spanish series “100 días para enamorarse” (available on Netflix), and the iconic, Emmy-winning series with over 50 years on television, “Days of Our Lives” by NBC. In 2020, Reyes garnered critical acclaim for his portrayal of a gay prisoner in the LGTB drama “Luz,” which is available on Prime. His latest project is the chilling feature film “Summoning the Spirits” (2023, Prime). Fans can anticipate seeing him next in “A Coffee for Gabo

Héctor Medina 

Cuban actor Hector Medina catapulted to international acclaim as a rising star with his role in “The King of Havana,” directed by the renowned Spanish filmmaker Agustín Villaronga. In 2016, he made a notable appearance as a guest star in Netflix’s “Four Seasons in Havana.” Following this, he received an invitation to be a guest actor at the 2018 Sundance Lab. Presently residing in Miami, he recently took on a pivotal role in the poignant gay drama “Borrowed.” One of Hector’s most remarkable performances was as the lead character “Jesús” in the award-winning 2015 film “Viva,” directed by the talented Irish filmmaker Paddy Breathnch. His upcoming endeavor is the eagerly awaited project, “A Coffee for Gabo.

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El primer filme argumental sobre Gabo

Mi sueño es filmar una película de largo metraje sobre el escritor colombiano Gabriel García Márquez, conocido cariñosamente como Gabo.

1. ¿Quién es Gabo?

• Gabo es el apodo cariñoso del reconocido escritor colombiano Gabriel García Márquez. Para más información sobre Gabo, mire el video:
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2. ¿Sobre qué trata la película?

• La película narra la insólita amistad entre el joven García Márquez y un mozalbete medio analfabeto que le servía café. Esta relación les permite superar las dificultades de la vida a través de su amor por la literatura.

3. ¿Quién dirige la película?

• El director de la película es Hernando Olivares, un promotor cinematográfico, profesor universitario y crítico de cine nacido en Colombia, actualmente radicado en Estados Unidos. Durante los  años 90, Hernando trabajó como productor de video para Intercor, una subsidiaria de Exxon que operaba Cerrejón, la mina de carbón más grande de América Latina y la décima más grande del mundo. Durante este periodo, dirigió más de 15 documentales, abarcando tanto narrativas directas como piezas institucionales.Durante los últimos 30 años, Hernando ha trabajado como profesor y crítico de cine en Colombia y Estados Unidos.
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• 4. ¿Por qué Hernando Olivares es el indicado para este proyecto?