It charts the stories of five Colombians (pictured) as they prepare to take part in the creation of an iconic photograph by acclaimed artist Spencer Tunick.
More than 6,000 people from all sides of the Colombian civil war posed nude at Bolívar Square, Bogotá, to make a stand for peace in Tunick’s unifying art installation.
The film is being released to coincide with Colombian Independence Day (July 20) - a day that marks Colombia’s Declaration of Independence from Spain.
Diageo’s global content director at Johnnie Walker Daniel Leahy, said: “We have facilitated the production of this documentary so that the inspirational stories of the Colombian people can be seen and heard by a wider audience.”
In Keep Walking Colombia, former police officer Wilson Barreto stands with Luis, the FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) commander responsible for the bomb attack that cost him his sight - a man he now considers a very good friend. Wilson was just 19 years old when his police unit was attacked. He woke up in a hospital in Bogotá, five days later, to the news that his colleagues had already been buried. Wilson features in the powerful short film alongside civilian victim Pilar Navarrete, ex-army officer Pablo Emilio Moncayo, ex-right wing paramilitary activist Ederlidia Garizao and Maria Esperanza Sierra, a former FARC combatant.
“After half a century of conflict, the people of Colombia are driving their nation forward on the road to peace and freedom through their openness and unyielding hope for the future,” said Claudia Hakim, Director of MAMBO Colombia.
“These stories, told through art and film, transcend matters of politics, belief or national affiliations. They are the stories of people who have endured so much, and yet are determined to embrace the possibilities of a shared future.”
Leahy added: “It is a privilege for us to be able to help get these incredibly inspiring stories out into the world. Johnnie Walker has always stood for progress and last year we launched a campaign that explored the idea that a positive outlook can help achieve that.
“Keep Walking Colombia tells the stories of five Colombians who, despite their history of conflict, believe in a better tomorrow. Working with Spencer Tunick has allowed us to tell these inspiring, human stories which highlight the bravery, the positivity, and the willingness of those affected by unimaginable tragedy and adversity to build a better tomorrow.
“And while this is a Colombian story, we believe the sentiment of optimism and positivity as a route towards progress is something that will resonate with people all over the world.”
Keep Walking Colombia is available to watch: https://youtu.be/eFtaVzy70aQ
