Made just after WWII as part of the USA’s Good Neighbor programs and presented by the Pan American Union, the International Organization of the 21 American Republics, this portrait of Bogota shows the city as it appeared in the mid-20th Century.
“Bogota: Capital of Colombia,” also shows this South American country in a more naive era, before various conflicts including the war on drugs caused instability. The film is part geography lesson and begins by identifying the country on a map at mark 00:44 before giving the viewer an aerial view of Bogota. A variety of street scenes from the “sky high capital of Colombia” quickly follows before the narrator discusses the history of the city, starting at mark 01:47, how it was founded in 1538 by Spanish explorer Jimenez de Quesada, and how it grew from a village of 12 crude huts to a bustling metropolis. The birth of a new republic, free from Spanish influence is discussed at mark 03:17, as is the role of President Simon Bolivar in aiding in the country’s development as a sovereign state. The narrator also discusses typical attire to be comfortable in the elements, as well as gathering places, such as coffee houses (mark 05:45), and the large outdoor markets. Mark 07:32 discusses the importance of education in the city as we see scenes of schoolyards and students with books in hand. The film continues with a look at the national library (mark 08:42) and one of its many splendid parks “where young and old can enjoy the abundant gifts of nature.”
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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com
