“Sabor Tropical”–Panamanian Carnival

 

 

“Sabor Tropical”

Panamanian Carnival

Amos Lassen

I just finished watching the Ariztical screener of “Sabor Tropical” which is filled with beautiful photography of the Carnival old Las Tablas of Panama. I loved the scenes of the festivities as they reminded me so much of Mardi Gras in my hometown New Orleans. Amidst all of the festivities is the story of Brian (Matthew Leitch who appears naked throughout the film) who is sent to Panama to cover the carnival for an online website.
There are a lot of mysteries and dangers in Panama especially for tourists and Brian is so outgoing that he finds himself in the thick of danger. And violence. We see the carnival is not only frivolous but serious and director Jorge Ameer gives us an insider’s look at Panama. The scenes in the opening credits are not for the queasy and Leitch has a masturbation scene that is just amazing. He later finds himself in a desperate situation.
The story may be short on plot but it is long on beauty. It is a festival of color and traditions and if for no other reason should be seen for that.