Secuestro Express ends with a title that says, "Half the world is hungry, the other half obese. There are two options. Kill the monster or invite him to dinner." A Venezuelan film, directed by Jonathan Jakubowicz, the thesis is driven home by action that focuses on a "kidnapping express" gang. One late evening, betrothed Carla (played by Mía Maestro) and Martín (played by Jean Paul Leroux) are in a vehicle that stops briefly to refill their drug supply in a dangerous part of town. Spotted by three thugs (played by Carlos Julio Molina, Pedro Perez, and Carlos Madera), they are followed and soon kidnapped. An initial US$20,000 ransom is demanded of Mía's father Sergio (played by Rubén Blades), while Martín's ATM card is utilized to draw a large amount of cash, which in turn is used to purchase drugs for resale from a gay drug dealer, Marcelo (played by Ermahn Ospina). Although one of the thieves wants to rape Carla, the only sex in the film occurs when bisexual Martín performs anal intercourse on Marcelo, who enjoys macho penetration while handcuffed standing up. What is most fascinating about the action film is the portrait of the seamy side of Caracas, including corrupt police, drug use by thieves and victims alike, street prostitution, thieves as the victims of other thieves, verbal defecation, and male dominance of females. Despite the easy availability of firearms to the thieves, only three persons die in the film, but not the rich couple. Left to the filmviewer's imagination is whether Carla and Martín will remain engaged after Carla unexpectedly views Martín having sex with the gay drug dealer. With poverty so visible alongside affluence, the most astute observation is by the head of the gang of thugs, Trece (Carlos Molina), who says that Carla invites crime by arrogantly wearing the fancy clothes of the rich, though he also admits that he has become rich from his underworld exploits. Tourists to Caracas might enjoy the Easter festival portrayed in the daytime, but they are now on notice from Secuestro Express to stay in their hotels during the night hours, when firearms convey authority. The class analysis in the film, in which the rich make all sorts of justifications for allowing society to deteriorate, does much to legitimate liberation theology, Marxism, and perhaps as well the popularity of democratically elected President Hugo Chavez, who has become yet another George W. Bush bête noir. MH
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