By: Miguel Ernesto Yusty

A FRIEND IN NEW YORK, a film directed by Harold Trompetero, tells the story of a Colombian immigrant in the Big Apple. Although he is a man of limited means, his dreams and aspirations know no bounds, resulting in a film that is both funny and, at times, heartwarming. It employs the style of comedies from Bogotá, with humor reminiscent of Pepe Sánchez's work on the series Don Chinche. This new film by Trompetero is likely to be well-received by audiences, offering a comedic approach to social issues.

Trompetero is a film director with extensive experience in the advertising world, giving him a deep understanding of how audiences engage with audiovisual content. As a storyteller, he avoids mockery, preferring to empathize with his characters. This approach is already present in some television comedies set in Bogotá, or even in telenovelas like Betty la Fea. In these works, the absurdity of life is revealed when characters, with few options to achieve their goals, cling desperately to their extravagant aspirations, and the script doesn't ridicule them, but rather laughs at them, and with tenderness.

Harold Tropetero's films allow viewers to accept themselves with their flaws and strengths, keeping their dreams intact, which is why his work has been so successful at the box office. This approach has allowed him to become a prolific director. "A Buddy in New York" tackles the drama of immigration through comedy, avoiding the rejection that the same subject matter might generate if framed within a different genre.