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Hollywood Already Anxious for Film Rights to Colombian Hostage Story

BuzzSugar — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 12:35:33 -0700

According to Variety, so far this has been a "sluggish summer marketplace for film material," so when 15 hostages in Colombia were freed last week, Tinsel Town lit up — and not just out of relief for the hostages. Already there are several book and movie deals in the works about various members of the hostage group.

Most of the clamoring is for the rights to French-Colombian politician Ingrid Betancourt's story. Apparently, "several agents and producers felt that hers is a strong vehicle for a top actress." Though Julia Roberts may not actually play Betancourt, her production company "has long been interested in telling Betancourt's story, but it was unclear how her release would impact those aspirations."

You can read about all the many and varied projects that may come from this story here.

Warner Bros. producer David Kennedy says, "You've got several possible approaches, from the kidnap of a presidential candidate who is now being called France's new Joan of Arc to what happened during captivity to the well-orchestrated rescue itself."

But on the other hand, one (unnamed) literary agent "felt the story isn't quite as ideal for a film adaptation as others assume." He noted, "It lacks what Americans love in movies: There is no violence in the rescue."

Do you think there's validity to that? Or is that underestimating American audiences, who may be riveted to the dramatic rescue story even without violence?

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After FARC Rescue One Says End Hate, One Says "Terrorist"

CitizenSugar — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 08:00:28 -0700

After the stunning rescue last week of 15 hostages held by FARC rebels in Colombia, Ingrid Betancourt — the most well-known of those rescued after being held hostage for six years — has urged the end of a vocabulary of hate against her former captors.

She says:

I think we have reached a point where we must change this radical, extremist vocabulary of hate of very strong words that intimately wound the human being.

Though her sympathy for her captors sounds a little Stockholm Syndrome-y, she says she has no illusions as to the true nature of the group, but that a honey trap of kindness would be a better way to ensure more hostage releases.

And there are many more to be released from the group one American is calling "terrorist." To see the extent of the situation,

Front Page: A Perfect Rescue Operation, Mandela Not a Terrorist, Jobs and Airlines in Trouble

CitizenSugar — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 07:00:22 -0700

A Perfect Rescue Operation:
French-Colombian politician Ingrid Betancourt and 14 other hostages freed from FARC rebels in a daring rescue mission has called her release after more than 6 years, a "miracle." She says, "there is no historical precedent for such a perfect operation." The mission was accomplished without a shot fired after the Colombian military penetrated the highest level of FARC and tricked them into handing over the hostages. Among those rescued were three American military contractors and 11 members of the Colombian security forces, all said to be in relatively good health. FARC has been trying to overthrow the Colombian government for 40 years, and still holds over 40 high-profile hostages, among up to 700 other captives.

Mandela Not a Terrorist:
US President George W Bush signed a bill removing Nelson Mandela and South African leaders from the US terror watch list. Mandela and ANC party members will now be able to travel to the US without a waiver from the secretary of state. The African National Congress (ANC) was labeled as a terrorist organization by South Africa's former apartheid regime.
Jobs and Airlines in Trouble:
The number of former workers signing up for unemployment insurance rose sharply last week. According to a Labor Department report, new applications jumped by 16,000 to 404,000, the highest level since late March. Meanwhile, the airline industry is predicting a $6.5 billion loss for the year, having been hit harder by fuel costs than expected.

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15 Hostages Are Rescued in Colombia

LibertySugar — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 14:25:00 -0700

15 Hostages Are Rescued in Colombia
Colombia announced Wednesday that it had rescued 15 captives held by the FARC rebel group, including Ingrid Betancourt, a former presidential candidate, and three American military contractors held by the guerrillas for more than four years.

Need to Know: Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC)

LibertySugar — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 03:00:00 -0800

Yesterday, the Organization of American States (OAS) declared last weekend's Colombian raid in Ecuador a violation of sovereignty. The US was the only state to support Colombia's decision to enter Ecuador and kill 24 rebels, including a top commander of the insurgency group FARC. So what's the deal with FARC?

FARC is the world's largest, and richest insurgency group, currently waging war with the Colombian government. A Marxist group, its mission is the redistribution of wealth from the rich to the poor, and the end of foreign influence by multinational corporations, and the US government.

Taxes levied on drug-traffickers give FARC $300 million in revenue each year. Of course, drug use among the 10,000 - 15,000 rebels is forbidden. Ransom collected from FARC's 3,000 plus kidnappings a year, also bankrolls the group. FARC, which pulls most of its support from rural areas, was founded in 1964, as the military wing of Colombia's Communist Party.

Colombia, with the full support of the US, maintains that Venezuela and Ecuador are assisting the rebels. Colombia is an important US ally, receiving $600 million a year in aid. Leftist countries in the region see the government in Colombia as nothing more than a US puppet.

For more informative background resources,

Headline: President Bush Condemns Venezuela

CitizenSugar — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 08:00:29 -0800

President George Bush condemned Venezuela yesterday saying, “We firmly oppose any acts of aggression that could destabilize the region." The statement comes amid growing border tensions in South America over Venezuela’s and Ecuador’s militarization along the Colombian border.

Venezuela and Ecuador have mobilized their armies in reaction to a Colombian incursion into Ecuador on a mission to assassinate a high level commander of FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Columbia), Raul Reyes.

FARC is a militant organization currently waging war with the Columbian government from bases located within Ecuador. The Columbian government has caused a great deal of tension in the region by illegally entering Ecuador to attack FARC. At this point, both Venezuela and Ecuador are likely to back down since Columbia has the full support of the United States.

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