Gabo: The Creation of Gabriel Garcia Marquez 2015
Distributed by Icarus Films, 32 Court St., 21st Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11201; 800-876-1710
Produced by Kate Horne
Directed by Justin Webster
DVD , color, 90 min.
College - General Adult
Biography, History, Latin Americans, Literature, Politics
Date Entered: 01/20/2016
Reviewed by Margaret M. Reed, Riley-Hickingbotham Library, Ouachita Baptist University, Arkadelphia, ARThe rare gifts of imagination and creativity often spring forth from humble beginnings. Such was the fate of beloved Latin American author Gabriel Garcia Marquez, winner of the 1982 Nobel Prize for Literature.
Gabo traces Marquez’s remarkable journey, a path set into motion by his grandparents in the small coastal town of Aracataca, Columbia. Nurturing Marquez’s deep affection for folklore and storytelling, Marquez’s grandparents piqued his interest in the world beyond their tiny village, leading him to go abroad as a journalist and author.
Delivered primarily in Spanish with English subtitles, family members, fellow writers, and noted public figures share their thoughts on Marquez and read excerpts from his work, including his groundbreaking novel One Hundred Years of Solitude (1967). Intimate and candid, they paint a vivid portrait of Marquez’s colorful life and career. Several speak frankly about Marquez’s friendship with Cuban dictator Fidel Castro, dispelling the myth that Marquez turned a blind eye to the human casualties of communism.
An inspiring tribute to one of Latin America’s literary giants, Gabo celebrates a life brimming with passion and extraordinary vision.
Gabo won “Best Documentary” at the 2016 Chicago Latino Film Festival.
Recommended for academic and public libraries, Gabo is a valuable resource for courses in Latin American studies, literature, history, and politics.