Birds of Passage

A remarkable film from Colombia depicts how a traditional Indian tribe is corrupted by wealth and power through its involvement in the drug trade. Birds of Passage, a remarkable new film from Colombia, combines some very different things into one. It’s a crime picture about the drug trade in South America, but it’s also steeped in indigenous culture, particularly that of the Wayuu Indians of northeastern Colombia. This melding of the ancient and strangely beautiful native traditions with a tale, based on true events, of violent hatred and revenge, is more powerful and frightening than most gang movies you’ll encounter.…