The United States of America

The U.S. is the land of opportunity, the capitalist paradise, the apex of democracy, and at the same time the land of consumerism, savage economics, and mass production of weapons.
Everything  can be found in the States... it´s just like eating a big and tasty McDonald´s burger. Literally anything can be found between the thick slice of cheddar cheese and the greasy piece of meat.

America

America: It is a young continent in which the best of all cultures is together, giving as a result a land full of contrasts, brimming with happiness and opportunities.
Wait a second... maybe that´s too idealistic. Nowadays America is brimming with social and economic inequalities more than with opportunities...
The important thing is that, although our continent still has problems to be solved by its people, America´s time has finally come. We are here at the right place at the right time. Soon enough we will start seeing more and more opportunities and progress.
Europe is too old, Asia is too crowded, Africa is so poor, Oceania is so far away from the rest of the world; America, your time is now.

Somos Mas Americanos

America is a continent. That is this song's truth and direct message to the audience. Beyond its nationalistic nature, and the exagerated patriotism that the song shows via expressions such as "somos mas americanos que todititos los gringos", the real matter here is about the concept of America and the way it is linked to another important concept: The one of power.

The question is the following: 

Think about an average mexican guy...

Now think about a typical North American person...

I bet when you thought about a mexican guy the first thing that came to your mind was some kind of Ranchero or Charro Mexicano, maybe with a gun hanging from his belt. A bit uncivilized or even poor.

Now, I suppose when you did the same exercise with the North American person you saw the image of a civilized and  strongly capitalist (consumerist) person, perhaps driving a huge SUV.

The difference is evident. Due to the way in which historical events took place, right now Mexicans are struggling for survival in the areas close to the U.S. border, while North American "gringos" are enjoying a fairly good living standard.

Imaginary lines or frontiers have always been present in the world, from the moment states were invented. The paradox here is how some Mexicans think that North Americans stole their lands and at the same time they  seek a better future in the U.S. They blame the U.S. for their tragedy and at the same time are "begging" for U.S. help.

On the other hand, there is one thing that is rescuable from this song and it is the way in which North Americans usurped and appropriated the word "Americans" for their own benefit. Remember something: America is a CONTINENT, with different countries in it. So, please, whenever you refer to a U.S. citizen, don't call him American.

Midnight in Paris

If you want to see a movie that has a mixture of craziness and talent, this one is the perfect film for you: Midnight in Paris. Since decades ago, Woody Allen has been the perfect type of director for strange, romantic and "intellectual" movies. Midnight in Paris could be easily considered the pinnacle of Allen´s creations.

The movie´s plot is basically about a Hollywood director, Gil Owen, who goes to Paris with his fiancée, Inez. Gil doesn´t like his life in the United States and he sees Paris as the perfect city for him to live in because he wants to be a novelist. Of course, his fiancée does not agree with them staying for a lifetime in Paris, so their relationship starts to be more and more tense. Later on, while walking through the small and antique Parisian streets during midnight, Gil starts to live a French time travel that takes him to the 1920´s, a time that he loves and idolizes in the novel he is writing. During his trip, Gil finds himself in the middle of the everyday life of important characters such as Picasso, Hemingway, Fitzgerald and Gertrude Stein.

Thanks to this type of adventures into the past, Gil finally finds a new romance and the inspiration he is looking for, lighting his path as a writer. Besides that, he ends up enjoying his unique passion: Walking while the rain falls romantically on the shady, grey-coloured Parisian streets.

Another fact that adds up to the movie´s overall success is that Gil´s behaviour almost perfectly reflects  Woody Allen´s own fascinations and, perhaps, even his personal feelings as a Hollywood film director.

So, go and see the movie -- Satisfaction guaranteed if you like a more "European film style".  If the question is where to watch it, I would definitely recommend Cinema Paraiso at Usaquén. If you are lucky enough, when you get out of the cinema, around 6:30 or 7pm, you will find yourself as if you were walking in the streets of Paris, with rain pouring heavily over your head or with a very nice and dusky vista of a great part of Bogotá.