Based on a novel of the same name, Our Lady of the Assassins (in Spanish, La Virgen de los Sicarios) follows Fernando, an author in his fifties, who has just returned to Medellín after a 30-year absence. Fernando finds the city changed beyond recognition by violence caused by warring drug cartels while the residents consider the murders of their neighbors as commonplace occurrences.The story begins with Fernando arriving to a party of an old acquaintance where he is immediately introduced an attractive young gay, Alexis. The two begin a relationship and move into the wealthy author’s sparsely furnished apartment. While Fernando recounts how the city was before he left, Alexis introduces his lover to the realities of the city in the present day. In this way, both adult and boy learn from each other.
While viewers may feel shocked and be hair stand on end at the terrible conditions in Medellín, they are given no chance to feel sympathy with the characters. Murders are carried out in cold bold while onlookers are often morbidly eager to hear the details and clearly feel no empathy for the victims.
Aunque los espectadores pueden sentirse conmocionados y con los pelos de punta por las terribles condiciones de Medellín, no se les da la más mínima oportunidad de sentir compasión por los personajes. Los asesinatos se llevan a cabo en frío mientras que el público está lleno de morbosidad y ansioso por saber los detalles; evidentemente no tiene empatía por las víctimas.
SPANISH LESSON“Aunque los espectadores pueden sentirse conmocionados y con los pelos de punta…” the Spanish expression ’poner los pelos de punta’ has the same meaning as the English expression ‘hair stand on end.’
This is a very graphic explanation of what happens when someone is terrified, extremely nervous or upset because they suffer from a great fright. Their skin and hair bristles stand.
This is an example: “Se me pusieron los pelos de punta cuando vi el reportaje sobre la muerte de Bin Laden”. (“It made my hair stand on end when I saw the story on the death of Bin Laden.”)