Held Hostage in Colombia

On February 12, 2003, a Pentagon-owned Cessna helicopter carrying three American independent contractors--Keith Stansell, Marc Gonsalves, and Thomas Howes--went down in Colombia, and the men were taken hostage by FARC, the nation's guerilla army. If this were an Arnold Schwarzenegger movie, the hostages would be rescued within two or three reels, but since this is real life, and FARC is considered to be a terrorist organization by the U.S. government, negotiation is impossible. Despite the sensationalistic nature of the story, which has received only minimal coverage in the domestic media, Held Hostage in Colombia is a sobering and fascinating tale made possible by the incredible steps that filmmakers Jorge Enrique Botero, Karin Hayes, and Victoria Bruce took to obtain access to the FARC jungle camp to meet with the hostages. Addressing the camera with eerie calm, the three men--who've not been treated badly--say they miss their families, but they're even more shocked to discover that others initially sent to rescue them died in the attempt. As the men discuss their situation, loved ones at home send tearful messages, and experts try to explain the politically touchy situation that makes these men collateral damage in the longstanding U.S. vs. Colombian cartel War on Drugs. DVD extras include filmmaker commentary, extra interview footage of the hostages, and more background material. Recommended. [Note: this is also being sold directly to individuals for $19.95 at www.heldhostageincolombia.com.] Aud: C, P. (D. Fienberg)