Saturday, April 25, 2026

Estimados Señores (2024)

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 





 

Estimados Señores

[English title: Dear Gentlemen]

  

This historical drama about the campaign for the female vote in Colombia premiered in 2024. Here is some basic information about it:

 

** Writer, producer and director: Patricia Castañeda

** Language: Spanish

** Subtitles: English

** Run time: 102 minutes

 

The cast includes the following:

 

** Juliet Restrepo as Esmeralda Arboleda (1921-1997)

** Paula Castaña as Josefina Valencia (1913-1991)

** Barbara Perea as Bertha Ospina (1907-1993)

** Victoria Ortiz as Maria Currea (1890-1985)

** Marcela Mar as Teresa Santamaria de Gonzalez (1897-1985)

** Claudio Cataño as Ortiz Gonzalez (1911-1990)

** Mario Jurado as Enrique Santos Castillo (1917–2001)

** Jairo Camargo as general Gustavo Rojas Pinilla (1900–1975)

** Luis Alberto as Felix Angel

 

***** 

 

Since this historical drama is based on a true story, the basic facts are part of the public record. They are not a secret. This is why I feel free to mention some of them here.

 

While this historical drama is based on a true story, it is not a documentary film. It is a dramatised version of reality.

 

Not everything happened as shown here. Some details may have been altered, added or excluded for practical purposes or dramatic reasons. But the basic story is true.

 

***** 

 

The story of this historical drama is set in 1954 when Columbia has a military dictatorship.

 

The ruler is Gustavo Rojas Pinilla who comes to power by a military coup d'état in 1953. He holds onto this power until 1957.

 

In 1954, female activists like Esmeralda and Josefina are conducting a campaign for the female vote.

 

Only men are allowed to vote in Columbia. The women want to change this situation, but it is difficult for them to get the attention of people who matter. Many politicians listen to them and then brush them off by saying that they understand but “now is not the right time!”

 

One day, Esmeralda and Josefina manage to meet general Rojas Pinilla face to face. They urge him to introduce the female vote. They say he must do this, because Columbia is a member of the United Nations, and as such the country has a duty to allow both men and women to vote.

 

The general says he will consider their request.

 

The Colombian politicians are working on a new constitution. The general says the question of the female vote will be considered when a new constitution is drafted.

 

A special committee is established to consider the female vote.

 

Having discussed the question, the committee must make a recommendation to the National Constituent Assembly, which will meet later in the year.

 

Most of this historical drama is focused on the discussion in this political committee.

 

All members are men.

 

Esmeralda and Josefina are present. They are joined by Bertha Ospina and Maria Currea.

 

The women are allowed to observe the discussion. They are not allowed to join the discussion.

 

But when one of the members make an outrageous statement, the women cannot remain silent. They have to protest. They are told to be quiet. They are quiet, until the next outrageous statement. And so it goes for a while.

 

When the meeting ends, the members conclude that the female vote must eventually be introduced. But the committee does not say when this should happen.

 

Later in the year 1954, the National Constituent Assembly is convened.

 

During the time before the assembly convenes, general Rojas Pinilla is under pressure from liberals and conservatives who say he should appoint a women to be a member of the assembly.

 

The general appoints Josefina. But the public is not satisfied. They say a second woman should be appointed to be a member of the assembly.

 

The general who wants to please the public, appoints Esmeralda. This is the reason why Josefina and Esmeralda are both members of the assembly when it convenes in August 1954.

 

Josefina and Esmeralda are the first two women to be members of an official political institution in Colombia.

 

When the assembly begins its work, the question of the female vote is the first item on the agenda.

 

At this moment in time, the male opposition to the female vote has become a clear minority.

 

The majority of the members support the introduction of the female vote.

 

Esmeralda and Josefina are regarded as heroes, because they organised a successful campaign to secure the female vote.

 

Three years later, in 1957, when the military dictatorship of general Rojas Pinilla ends, Colombia holds the first national election in which women are allowed to cast a vote.

 

***** 

 

What do reviewers say about this historical drama? Here are some answers:

 

** 68 percent = Letterboxd

** 75 percent = IMDb

** 75 percent = Mabumba

 

The ratings are quite good, as you can see. I understand the numerous positive reviews and I agree with them. But I cannot go all the way to the to the top. This historical drama is good but not great.

 

What is wrong?

 

There are some flaws:

 

# 1. The director does not reveal that the women’s movement is divided into two distinct groups:

 

The first group supports the military dictatorship of general Rojas Pinilla and is prepared to work with him. Josefina is a prominent member of this group. She represents the Conservative party in the National Constituent Assembly

 

The second group is opposed to the military dictatorship and does not want to work with the general. Esmeralda is a prominent member of this group. She represents the Liberal party in the National Constituent Assembly.

 

# 2. The director does not tell us what happened to Josefina and Esmeralda after the victory in 1954.

 

Both women became politicians.

 

Both had a remarkable career.

 

Josefina was governor of Cauca 1955–1956. She was the first female governor of a province. Josefina was minister of education 1956–1957. She was the first female member of the government.

 

Esmeralda continued her criticism of the military government after the victory in 1954. She was harassed. Her husband Uribe was fired just to put pressure on her.

 

One day, some men tried to kidnap her while she was standing outside her mother's flower shop. They did not succeed, but this episode convinced her that she had to leave the country. She went into exile in the US.

 

In 1958, when the military dictatorship was over, she returned to Columbia. She ran for public office.

 

She was a member of the Senate 1958–1961. She was the first female Senator. She was minister of communication 1961–1962. She was the Colombian ambassador in Austria 1966–1968

 

# 3. There are many characters in this historical drama. It is not always easy for the viewer to know who is who.

 

A few characters are presented with name and title. One example is general Gustavo Rojas Pinilla. 

 

But many characters are not presented with name and title. The viewers want to know who is who and how they are connected with each other.

 

The director could have solved this problem by adding an on-screen message the first time each character appears on the screen. Sadly, this easy and obvious solution was not used.

 

***** 

 

The story of the campaign for the female vote in Colombia is important. In this historical drama it is told quite well. But there are some flaws which cannot be ignored.

 

In my opinion, this product deserves a rating of four stars (80 percent).

 

REFERENCE

 

Rania Woodward,

“Estimados Señores honors the women who changed Colombia,”

The Loyola Phoenix

16 April 2025

 

*****

 


La lucha 

de unas

cambió

la historia 

de todas

 

*****

 

The struggle of a few women 

changed the history of all women

 

***** 

 


Friday, April 24, 2026

Eliza Lynch: Queen of Paraguay (2013)

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eliza Lynch: Queen of Paraguay

 

This docudrama premiered in 2013. The topic is the unusual and tumultuous life of the Irish-born woman Eliza Lynch who lived and died in the nineteenth century. Here is some basic information about this product:

 

** Writer and director: Alan Gilsenan (born 1962)

** Based on the book The Lives of Eliza Lynch: Scandal and Courage by Ronan Fanning and Michael Lillis (2009)

** Languages spoken: English, Spanish, and Portuguese

** Subtitles: English

** Run time: 85 minutes

 

This docudrama is divided into twelve chapters which follow a chronological line from the nineteenth century to the twentieth century. Here are the headlines:

 

# 01. Hunger

# 02. Innocence

# 03. Love

# 04. Journey

# 05. Mother

# 06. Queen

# 07. War

# 08. Fall

# 09. Death

# 10. Aftermath

# 11. Rebirth

# 12. Epilogue

 

A docudrama is a combination of two elements:

(1) A documentary film where several persons are invited to talk about a certain topic.

(2) A movie where historical scenes are dramatized by several actors. In this case, there is only one actress who plays the role of Eliza Lynch.

 

The Irish actress Maria Doyle Kennedy plays the role of the adult Eliza Lynch. As Eliza Lynch, she talks to us about her life. She explains what is happening and how she feels about the situation.

 

The young Eliza Lynch is played by Leryn Franco in a few clips.

 

Many persons are interviewed in the documentary part of the product. Here are the names of the participants. Listed in the order of appearance:

 

** Ronan Fanning (1941-2017) – an Irish historian and co-author of a book about Eliza Lynch published in 2009

** Michael Lillis – an Irish diplomat and co-author of a book about Eliza Lynch

** Conor McEnroy – chairman, Sudameris Bank

** Luis Véron – a historian

** Guido Rodriguez Alcala – a journalist

** Esteban Burt – a lawyer

** Miguel A. Solano Lopez – a descendant of Eliza Lynch and Francisco Solano Lopez – ambassador of Paraguay

** Jorge Francisco Ramirez – a Paraguayan general

** Jorge Rubiani – an architect and an author

** Francisco Doratioto – a professor of history

** Federico Franco (born 1962) – vice-president of Paraguay 2008-2012, president of Paraguay 2012-2013

 

*****

 

This docudrama focuses on the life of Eliza Lynch and the people around her. The story of her life is told in great detail.

 

Different opinions about historical persons and events are discussed by the persons who are interviewed.

 

Here is a timeline of her life:

 

Eliza Lynch is born in Ireland in 1833. According to some sources, she is born in 1834 or 1835, but as far as I know, 1833 is the correct year.

 

In 1845, Ireland is hit by the great famine. Her father dies in 1846. After his death, Eliza and her mother leave Ireland and move to France. Eliza and her mother live in Paris.

 

In 1850, Eliza meets a man who is a soldier in the French army. They have a relationship and she follows him when he is stationed in Algeria, a French colony 1830-1848 and an integral part of France 1848-1962.

 

According to some sources, Eliza is married to the French soldier. According to other sources, this is not true.

 

If there is a wedding ceremony, it is not performed in accordance with the rules and regulations of the French army. In other words: there is no marriage.

 

The relationship does not work out. In 1853, Eliza returns to Paris.

 

In 1854, she meets Francisco Solano Lopez who is from Paraguay. His father is the president of Paraguay. He has had this position since 1844.

 

Francisco is in France in order to study military science and to train with the French army, but he also has some free time for entertainment.

 

Francisco is born in 1827. He is six years older than Eliza. According to some sources, he is born in 1826, but as far as I know, 1827 is the correct year.

 

Eliza and Francisco become friends and lovers. In 1855, they separately cross the Atlantic Ocean and land in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

 

Eliza is pregnant with her first child. She remains alone in Argentina until her first son Panchito is born. Francisco joins her in Buenos Aires and they travel together to Asuncion, Paraguay.

 

Francisco is not allowed to marry Eliza, because she is from Ireland and because she is not a member of the local upper class.

 

Francisco installs her in a separate mansion and he often goes to visit her. He is supposed to marry a daughter of a prominent Paraguayan family, but this never happens.

 

Eliza gives birth to six additional children. One of them (Leopoldo) dies as an infant. The first child (Panchito) is killed in the war when he is fifteen years old. But five children live long enough to become adults.

 

In 1862, Francisco’s father dies and Francisco succeeds him as president of Paraguay.

 

Eliza and Francisco are still not married, but she is now regarded as the unofficial first lady of Paraguay. She is sometimes described as the Queen of Paraguay.

 

The first two years of Francisco’s reign are not highly controversial, but in 1864 he makes a fatal decision which changes the lives of many people, including his own life and the life of his mistress Eliza.

 

He declares war on Brazil. In 1865, Brazil is supported by Argentina and Uruguay. Now Paraguay is at war with three countries. This is why this conflict is known as the War of the Triple Alliance (1864-1870).

 

Obviously, Paraguay cannot win this war. In 1868, the capital Asuncion is captured by Brazil. The war might have ended at this point, but it does not happen, because Francisco refuses to surrender.

 

He disappears into the rural area with a small group of supporters and tries to continue the struggle against the enemy.

 

Eliza is with him as he tries to fight against the enemy. He cannot win this war. In 1870, he and his small army are finally defeated. He still refuses to surrender. He is killed. His oldest son Panchito, who is with him, is also killed. This is the end of a brutal and bloody war.

 

According to some estimates, Paraguay has lost 50 percent of its total population and 70 percent, perhaps even 80 percent, of its male adult population.

 

Eliza survives the war, but she is not allowed to remain in Paraguay. She is deported. She returns to Europe. At first, she is in London; later, she is in Paris.

 

In 1875, she travels to Paraguay. She arrives in Asuncion. She is there to claim the property she owned while she was living in Paraguay. But the stay in the capital is brief.

 

She is arrested. She is told that her property has been confiscated by the new government. 

 

She is told that she is regarded as an enemy and she is ordered to leave the country at once.

 

After this brief visit to Paraguay, she returns to her home in Paris where she lives for the remaining part of her life. When she dies in 1886, she is buried in the Pere Lachaise Cemetery.

 

For many years, Eliza and Francisco are regarded as villains. He is blamed, because he began a war which caused death and destruction. She is blamed, because she stood by him until the end of his life.

 

But the story of Eliza and Francisco is not over yet. 

 

Alfredo Stroessner, who rules Paraguay for more than thirty years (1954-1989), decides that the past has been misunderstood. In 1961, he makes a special arrangement with the government of France:

 

The remains of Eliza are exhumated and then they are transported across the Atlantic Ocean to Paraguay. In Asuncion, the remains of Eliza are deposited in a small memorial monument.

 

From 1961, she is no longer regarded as a villain. She is regarded as a heroine who supported her partner in life.

 

A similar transformation happens to Francisco Solano Lopez. He is no longer hated and vilified. He is called a hero who fought for his country and who eventually gave his life for his country.

 

Different observers have different views. Some observers may still regard Eliza and Francisco as villains, while other observers regard them as heroes of Paraguay.

 

When the President of Paraguay Federico Franco is asked about his opinion, he says: heroes should not be investigated. Paraguay has heroes. Francisco Solano Lopez is a hero in Paraguay.

 

*****

 

What do reviewers say about this docudrama?

Here are three answers:

 

** 77 percent = IMDb

** 70 percent = Hayes at the Movies

** 34 percent = Reelgood

 

The ratings are mixed, as you can see. If you ask me, I will say that the first two ratings are quite fair, while the third rating is far too harsh.

 

Whether Eliza Lynch is regarded as a villain or a heroine, the story of her life is interesting. It deserves to be told, and in this docudrama, it is done quite well.

 

In my opinion, this product deserves a rating of four stars (80 percent).

  

REFERENCES

 

Eliza Lynch: Regent of Paraguay

By Henry Lyon Young

(1966) (197 pages)

 

Madame Lynch and Friend: The True Account of an Irish Adventuress and the Dictator of Paraguay Who Destroyed That American Nation

By Alyn Brodsky

(1976) (more than 300 pages)

 

The Empress of South America

By Nigel Cawthorne

(2003) (more than 300 pages)

 

The Lives of Eliza Lynch: Scandal and Courage

By Ronan Fanning and Michael Lillis

(2009) (252 pages)

 

Madame Lynch of Paraguay

By Leah Moorefield Evans

(2016) (48 pages)

 

*****

 

Eliza Lynch

(1833-1886)

 

*****

 

Francisco Solano Lopez

(1827-1870)

 

*****


Memorial monument for Eliza Lynch

in Asuncion, Paraguay

 

*****