Uruguay tours – Private city tours of Montevideo, Colonia & Punta del Este
When you want to experience the best of Uruguay’s most emblematic cities—with a guide genuinely excited to personalise the tour just for you.
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Uruguayan films tend to be slow burners. The action —what little there is of it— unfolds slowly. The lives depicted are monotonous or hard. There is little place for glamour.
A dry tragicomedy, Whisky revolves around the unspoken relationships between estranged brothers German and Jacobo, and Martha, an employee at Jacobo’s decrepit sock factory. The gentle climax of the film take places in the mythical Hotel Argentino in Piriapolis. Probably one of Uruguay’s most well-known films abroad. Available on Netflix and Amazon.
A washed-up prize-fighter faces his last bout in a back-water town where his only champion in his irrepressible manager. Gorgeously filmed with lots of drama. Trailer with English subtitles
The first Uruguayan film to deal with the issue of coming out. Given Uruguay’s progressive gay rights legislation, it is surprising that it hadn’t been tackled earlier. On Amazon
The documentary-makers investigate five Uruguayan hits from 1955 to 1985, including Break it All (sic!), by Uruguay’s answer to the Beatles, and a protest song recorded in defiance of the 1970s dictatorship. I adore this film! This is the kind of investigative work that rarely takes place in a country where limited resources mean that social history is rarely documented. You’ll notice the younger generations have never heard of the earlier hits. On YouTube.
After a school-yard fight, Anina, a 10 year old girl, is given the “world’s weirdest punishment” – she has to hold onto a wax-sealed black envelope for a week without opening it. What happens if she can’t stand the suspense? An animated children’s film – for grown-ups too. Available on Amazon.
If you’re wondering, the public primary school uniform consists of white dustcoats and big blue pussy-cat bows, just like the characters wear.
Many of Uruguay’s films have been translated into English by a Canadian friend of mine and the subtitles are usually excellent.
If you can’t find these films online, once you get to Montevideo, I recommend heading to the gift shop in the Solis Theatre where they have a great selection of Uruguayan films.
Get the Guru’s recommendations for ten films you should check out as part of the fun planning your trip to Uruguay in The Guru’Guay Guide to Montevideo on Amazon. This is our updated list from 2019.
[This article was first published on September 7 2015 and last updated at the date above]
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Uruguay tours – Private city tours of Montevideo, Colonia & Punta del Este
When you want to experience the best of Uruguay’s most emblematic cities—with a guide genuinely excited to personalise the tour just for you.
Montevideo tours – Tango, Football & the Carnival Whisperers
Your private Montevideo cultural tour and gateway to carnival, an authentic tango joint or a soccer match with a great local guide.
Cabaña Verónica – Great steak & Uruguayan asado
The Port Market—Disneyland for carnivores—is not to be missed but avoid tourist traps! At Verónica’s, you’re guaranteed great steak & Uruguayan asado.
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One of Uruguay’s oldest wineries, Varela Zarranz is just 50 min from the capital. Winner of 150+ awards, it’s famous for its sparkling wines.
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Índica Beer is a friendly welcoming Montevideo bar and brewery making some of the best craft beer—particularly IPAs and German-style lager.
Uruguay Citizenship – It’s been 23 years but I’m finally applying!
It’s been a long time coming, and I’m so excited to finally be starting the process of applying for Uruguay citizenship.
How to get from the Montevideo airport to the city
The Montevideo international airport is 15 miles from the city centre. You can take a taxi, shuttle or bus. The most common way is private transfer.
Bodega Cerro Chapeu – Uruguayan wine legends
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Caballos de Luz – Horseback riding in Uruguay sierras
This ‘million star’ B&B in the hills minutes from the coast offers exciting horseback riding & delicious vegetarian food.
Dance tango in Uruguay. Especially if you are a beginner or intermediate tango dancer, the tango scene in Montevideo is much friendlier than Buenos Aires.
Murga is an instantly recognisable musical style associated with carnival. It’s a uniquely Uruguayan phenomenon, with very distant roots in Cadiz, Spain.
My friend who’s ‘carnival royalty’ says San Baltasar is like carnival was when she was a child. Your chance to see Uruguay carnival just after new year.
José ‘Pepe’ Mujica was dubbed “the world’s poorest president” for his modest lifestyle and is the subject of a new film by Emir Kusturica.
The host of this brand new travel show fell in love with Montevideo. The wine, soccer, carnival, food… so many things to do.
After a challenge by a friend, Eliana Cleffi photographed as many nationalities as she could in 100 days in Montevideo–and that started a mammoth project.
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7 Responses
A new film is just out called Los Modernos. The story depicts a present day Uruguay of 30-somethings involved in the media and arts and is entertaining with a dramatic twist in the tale. But what I especially love is that it shows Montevideo in all its glory and in black and white! It’s like watching Woody Allen cast his loving eye over Paris or New York. Los Modernos does the same to Montevideo. Beautiful! Here’s a criticism by a critic I love (in Spanish) http://ladiaria.com.uy/articulo/2016/10/los-modernos-una-pelicula-de-mauro-sarser-y-marcela-matta/
Ey! Yo creo que el mejor film uruguayo de todos los tiempos es 25 watts, del 2001. Historias de adolescentes totalmente desmotivados y perdidos en un contexto espantoso: la crisis de 2001 y 2002 después de una década horrible, sin sueños, sin ganas, sin nada. A pesar de ello es muy graciosa, es tragicómica.
https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/25_Watts
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0280381/
Otras buenas:
Gigante y Norberto apenas tarde
Me estoy olvidando de otra dos muy buenas: El Baño del Papa y Matar a todos.
https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/El_ba%C3%B1o_del_Papa
https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matar_a_todos
There are lots of things to buy in Mercado Libre, included films, cd’s, vinyl records…http://articulo.mercadolibre.com.uy/MLU-429145102-dvd-whisky-pazos-pascual-bolani-_JM
And of course in the Tristán Narvaja Fair in sunday mornings…
Reviews of
LEO’S ROOM (EL CUARTO DE LEO)
Dir. Enrique Buchichio
Uruguay, 2009, 95 minutes
Spanish, with subtitles in English
Shaken by a recent breakup, a troubled but handsome young man dreams of the future and cautiously explores his sexuality with the encouragement of an old friend and a sympathetic therapist. Special Jury Award, Torino GLBT Film Festival; Official Selection of the San Sebastián Film Festival (New Directors), NewFest and Miami International Film Festival.
“A sensitive, engaging and emotive portrayal of a young man coming to terms with his sexuality. Leo’s Room is a triumph of a movie….The understated performances, subtle direction and strong story make Leo’s Room a must-see.” -Entertainment Focus
“Filled with wonderful little touches and character beats….Leo’s Room feels utterly fresh.” -Miami Herald
LEO’S ROOM toured as part of the Global Lens 2010 film series and appeared in venues, festivals and theatrical locations throughout the U.S. and Canada, including the New York Latino International Film Festival, the Dallas International Film Festival and the Seattle International Film Festival. The DVD release of LEO’S ROOM coincides with its release on television cable network HBO Latino this month. The film is also featured on Virgin America airlines, along with other Global Lens films. DVDs will be available for purchase through the Global Film Initiative website on November 8th:
http://catalogue.globalfilm.org/leos-room
I have not seen any of these films. Just where would I find them in Atlántida? Any ideas? Of the Uruguayan films I have seen, I like El último tren: Corazón de fuego.
Hey Syd, do DVD stores still exist in Atlantida? If they do I would certainly expect them to carry at least some of these films.
I have not heard of “El Ultimo Tren” though I see it is a comedy from 2002 and an Argentine-Uruguay coproduction. Thanks for the tip!