Made in Cartagena

"Made in Cartagena" is a riveting Spanish-language drama series that aired on UniMas in 2012. It uniquely blends crime, romance, suspense, and music, specifically champeta, a popular dance music style in Colombia’s Cartagena city. The show features a stellar cast led by renowned Colombian actors Fernando Solórzano, Carmen Villalobos, and Khris Cifuentes, with the narrative being set against the vibrant and colorful backdrop of this historic Caribbean coastal city.

Set in the heart of Cartagena de Indias, "Made in Cartagena" follows the life and struggles of Harvey Noriega or "El Burro," played by Fernando Solórzano, who is a record label owner and also a leader of a champeta dance group. However, his character is far from perfect; El Burro is a convicted felon always striving and struggling to remain on the right path. Intriguingly, the show depicts chapeta as more than just a type of music; it is the life, passion, dreams, struggles, and identity of people living in the coastal city, a symbol of resilience and joyful resistance against socio-economic hardships.

Carmen Villalobos plays the role of Flora María Martínez, a beautiful yet tremendously talented champeta dancer who comes from an abusive home. Captivated by the champeta and its pulsating rhythm, she aspires to become the Queen of the Champeta, a prestigious title bestowed upon the best dancer. Her passion drives her closer to El Burro, and their relationship deepens, overlaid with a shared love for champeta and complicated personal circumstances.

Khris Cifuentes perfectly plays the character of Vicente Bayonam, El Burro's best friend who shares a tumultuous past marred by illicit activities. His life takes an unexpected turn when he falls in love with Karen Bayona, played by Katherine Escobar Farfan, a spoiled and rebellious lady who also happens to be El Burro’s cousin. Their love story adds a fascinating layer of complexity to the overall plot, offering viewers a gratifying mixture of suspense and romance.

The narrative of "Made in Cartagena" is further enhanced by a slew of colorful and well-developed secondary characters. Each of them, with their respective subplots, contribute to the overall drama, deepening the complexities of the story. From La Diabla, the shrewd businesswoman with a mysterious past, to Gervasio, the brutal and authoritarian father, the supporting cast adds depth and intrigue to the plotline, making the series more captivating.

"Made in Cartagena" is not merely a tale about crime and love; it is also a story of redemption, resilience, passion, and the city's heart and soul. Each episode takes the viewers on a thrilling ride across Cartagena's vibrant streets, its towering historical structures, and its pulsating nightlife. Together with this, the series is accentuated with a dynamic and infectious soundtrack, featuring a mix of champeta rhythms and popular urban Latin music that is bound to leave audiences swaying.

Yet, the true strength of this series lies in the deeply emotional and character-driven storytelling that slowly but surely unveils the characters' varied lives, motivations, and personal struggles. It provides viewers with an intimate glance at each character's life and their struggle for survival in the city, with each moment artfully portraying the juxtaposition of wealth and poverty, dreams and despair, life and death, and love and betrayal.

On another level, "Made in Cartagena" shines a light on social issues prevalent within this particular socioeconomic section of Cartagena — poverty, violence, crime, and the marginalization of Afro-Colombian culture. It does so without compromising the series' entertainment value but allowing these issues to enrich the narrative and evolve organically within the storyline.

In sum, "Made in Cartagena" is a thrilling ride that seamlessly blends multiple genres into a compelling narrative. It offers viewers a unique window into the vibrant culture and societal issues of Cartagena through its thrilling storylines, complex characters, dynamic soundtrack, and stunning visuals. Whether you're a lover of drama, romance, suspense, or music – or a combination of all these – this series will be a feast for your senses.