The Colombian ambassador’s residence in Washington was dressed as the home of Disney’s latest animated film, “Encanto,” a story of magical realism set in the mountains of Colombia on Thursday.
Tony’s residence, a 1905 mansion built for businessman Thomas T. Gaff, was adorned with flowers and fake brick tiles, hiding the grandeur behind the Andean village style, reminiscent of the main character’s house in the film.
Ambassador Juan Carlos Pinzón attended the event to celebrate the film’s Colombian roots by Colombian actor Mauro Castillo, who plays the character “Felix” in “Encanto”.
“By watching Encanto you will experience what makes Colombia the second largest biodiversity country in the world and why we rank first in bird and orchid species and second in amphibians, plants, butterflies and freshwater fish,” he said. Pinzón to the audience.
According to Disney, “Encanto” – “charm” in Spanish – takes place in a magical village in the mountains of Colombia, where the children of the Madrigal family all have a special gift except Mirabel, the daughter of the Madrigals who is the key to save the magic of the village. .
Incorporating magic into a social narrative is a cry for Latin American magical realism, the genre perfected by Colombian author Gabriel García Márquez, who won the Nobel Prize in Literature in the process.
Embassy decorations included yellow butterflies, a reference to García Márquez’s “100 Years of Solitude”, in which yellow butterflies accompany every appearance of a character who breaks the molds of social order.
“Encanto characterizes the social inclusion and racial diversity in its history, which reflects our reality. The historical mix of indigenous peoples, European – Spanish – and African cultures, has transformed us, through a multicultural country that accepts and it takes everyone into account, “said Pinson.
Pinson, who is in his second term as ambassador to the United States, is known for hosting themed events to celebrate the US-Colombia relationship.
In 2022, the two countries will celebrate the 200th anniversary of the establishment of permanent diplomatic relations.
“Encanto”, whose cast includes Colombian American stars John Legoisamo, Diane Guerrero and Wilmer Valderrama, also includes Lynn-Manuel Miranda as actor and co-writer.
The film will be released in cinemas on Wednesday.
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