The Liberator () is a 2013 SpanishâÂÂVenezuelan historical drama film directed by Alberto Arvelo, starring ÃÂdgar RamÃÂrez as Simón BolÃÂvar. It was screened in the Special Presentation section at the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival. It was selected as the Venezuelan entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 87th Academy Awards, making the January Shortlist.
In the early 19th century, young Simón BolÃÂvar, a Venezuelan aristocrat educated in Europe, lives a life of privilege among the colonial elite. His marriage to MarÃÂa Teresa del Toro deepens his happiness, but tragedy strikes when she dies of yellow fever soon after their return to Venezuela. Heartbroken, BolÃÂvar turns away from wealth and comfort, growing increasingly aware of the oppression suffered by his people under Spanish rule.
Inspired by Enlightenment ideals and revolutionary movements in Europe, BolÃÂvar vows to free his homeland. He joins other patriots in an armed rebellion against the Spanish Empire, enduring betrayal, exile, and defeat before rallying his forces again. With the support of Francisco de Miranda and Antonio José de Sucre, he launches a daring military campaign across the AndesâÂÂone of the most remarkable marches in historyâÂÂto liberate New Granada (modern-day Colombia).
BolÃÂvarâÂÂs victories make him a symbol of hope, and he becomes known as âÂÂEl Libertador.â He dreams of uniting the newly freed territories into a single nation, Gran Colombia, stretching from Venezuela to Peru. Yet as internal divisions, political rivalries, and foreign interference grow, his vision begins to crumble.
Haunted by the sacrifices made for independence and increasingly isolated, BolÃÂvar faces conspiracies and assassination attempts. In his final days, betrayed by many of his allies, he reflects on the fragility of freedom and the cost of revolution. The film closes with his death in exile in 1830, as his dream of a united Latin America fadesâÂÂbut his legacy as the Liberator endures.
The film debuted on 9 September 2013 at the Toronto International Film Festival and opened in its home country of Venezuela on 24 July 2014. The film was released by Cohen Media Group on Blu-ray Disc and DVD on 10 March 2015.