The highly anticipated thriller Bogotá: City of the Lost, starring Korean superstar Song Joong-ki (Vincenzo, Descendants of the Sun), is officially premiering at the Busan International Film Festival before hitting Korean theaters on October 11. This production marks a milestone in the film relationship between South Korea and Colombia, as it is the first Korean movie to benefit from the incentives of Law 1556, which promotes audiovisual production in Colombia through the Colombia Film Commission of Proimágenes Colombia.
The film, set and filmed entirely in Bogotá, tells the story of Korean immigrants who arrived in the city in the 1990s to build a future in the San Andresito market. Song Joong-ki plays a young Korean struggling to find his place in a foreign environment, exploring the challenges and opportunities of those seeking to thrive in a distant country.
The choice to film in Colombia was no coincidence. Executive producer Park Sung-il highlighted that the financial incentives offered by the Colombian government were a decisive factor. "Colombia has an excellent incentive system, and since the story takes place in Bogotá, there was no reason not to film there," Park mentioned in an interview. In addition to the attractive tax benefits, the authenticity of Colombian locations was vital in conveying the essence of the narrative.
Despite these incentives, the team faced significant challenges. Filming began just before the COVID-19 pandemic, forcing a prolonged pause in production and complicating the project's logistics. "The cast and crew showed great dedication during this difficult period," Park commented, thanking the Colombian team for their professionalism and supportive attitude amidst the challenges. "Without them, we would not have been able to complete the shoot."
Director Kim Seong-je also praised the quality of the local crew and Colombian actors, who played a crucial role in the production's success. "Working with a multinational team presented challenges, but in the end, it was a very enriching experience," he stated. For him, the film not only tells the story of Korean immigrants in Colombia but also highlights the growing collaboration between two countries on opposite sides of the world.
The premiere of Bogota: City of the Lost in Busan is just the beginning of what is expected to be an international success. The film marks a milestone as the first Korean production to benefit from Law 1556 and represents a new chapter in film cooperation between Korea and Colombia.
