The filmmaker behind a new movie summoning the spirit of a hippopotamus once owned by Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar was taken aback by the unpredictable and menacing nature of these creatures.
Nelson Carlo de los Santos Arias, the creator of “Pepe,” one of the most talked-about films at the 74th annual Berlin International Film Festival, revealed that filming the hippos on location in Namibia and Colombia was fraught with danger for his crew.
“We once stumbled upon hippos unexpectedly, and they nearly capsized the boat we were in, putting our camera at risk,” shared the 39-year-old Dominican filmmaker.
Despite the challenges, Arias’s daring filmmaking earned him a prestigious spot at the Berlinale, with “Pepe” among the 20 films competing for the coveted Golden Bear top prize.
In the docudrama, we delve into the psyche of Pepe, an African-born hippopotamus once part of the private menagerie of a notorious cocaine king. Shot in 2009 by state authorities after escaping, Pepe narrates his harrowing journey across the Atlantic, describing it as “a river with only one shore.” We witness his bewildering encounters that ultimately lead to him becoming the first hippo killed in the Americas.
Following the demise of Escobar in 1993, his ranch and exotic animal collection, including hippos, were left to the mercy of nature in a verdant region devoid of natural predators. The hippo population exploded, and authorities now estimate a staggering 160 of these majestic creatures roam freely in northwestern Colombia.
Arias chose to film in villages where fishermen lived in fear for both their lives and their livelihoods, all because of unwelcome intruders. “The Magdalena River is their whole world,” he explained. “Imagine a hippo suddenly showing up in your backyard pool. That river is their backyard.”
The decision to euthanize Pepe, as he was nicknamed by the media, stirred up controversy despite the clear public safety risks.
Hero and a ‘martyr’
Pepe emerged as a sort of folk legend, even reaching “martyr” status, while the hippos became central to Colombia’s political discourse, the filmmaker explained.
Arias expressed his fascination with the nuanced themes brought forth by Pepe’s spirit. “Through this personification of an animal, we delve into the realm of folklore,” he remarked, encapsulating a narrative that spans the echoes of colonialism and the looming ecological crises.
“Some argue it’s an invasion with devastating environmental consequences,” he acknowledged.
“However, in Africa, rivers are drying up, leading to the demise of hippos, while South America boasts abundant water resources. This juxtaposition might mirror the fate of many beings, including people, animals, and plants.”
