Dear Gentlemen - The Story of Colombian Suffragists Hits the Big Screen

Dear Gentlemen, the story of Colombian suffragists, arrives in cinemas under the direction and screenplay of renowned actress and writer Patricia Castañeda, 70 years after the historic event.

The film, titled Dear Gentlemen, revives the struggle of nine female activists who secured women’s voting rights in 1954. In 2024, Colombia’s Congress approved a law recognizing the suffragist movement’s legacy.

For the first time, this pivotal historical milestone is brought to the big screen. Previously, films like Sarah Gavron’s 2015 Suffragette portrayed similar struggles in the UK, recalling the fight for voting rights in 1912.

In Colombia, achieving women’s suffrage took nearly three additional decades, spurred by the 1948 Bogotazo—the political unrest following Jorge Eliécer Gaitán's assassination—and earlier battles like women’s right to manage their own assets (1932) and access to education (1933).

Ironically, full women’s rights were granted during General Rojas Pinilla’s dictatorship—not by him but thanks to decades of persistent efforts by brave women from opposing political fronts.

A 1944 reform proposal by President Alfonso López Pumarejo sought to grant women limited public participation but excluded suffrage. The 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the UN bolstered the movement further.

In February 1954, women presented a voting rights bill to Congress, initially ignored. However, during the Constituent Assembly convened for Rojas Pinilla’s reelection, two women, Esmeralda Arboleda (Liberal Party) and Josefina Valencia (Conservative Party), championed the cause. On August 25, 1954, after intense debates and attempts to block the quorum, the bill passed unanimously with 60 votes in favor.

Esmeralda Arboleda’s powerful speech marked the occasion: “We are confident that you, honorable deputies, will rise to the height of your historic mission and enshrine full citizenship for the women of your nation.”

On December 1, 1957, Colombian women first voted during the National Front plebiscite. Women’s participation was massive, even surpassing men in some areas. Over 1.8 million women cast their votes, shaping a constitutional reform aimed at national peace.

The nine suffragists are: Josefina Valencia de Hubach, Esmeralda Arboleda, Ofelia Uribe, Lucila Rubio, Bertha Hernández, María Teresa Arizabaleta, Rosita Turizo, Mercedes Abadía, and María Currea.

Dear Gentlemen: A Cinematic Tribute

After adapting the script for Roa and producing films like Virginia Casta and Moria, Patricia Castañeda debuts as director with this ambitious project. Amid renewed feminist movements, the film highlights ongoing issues like gender violence, workplace harassment, sexual abuse, wage gaps, and women’s underrepresentation.

“As a mother, I felt a deep responsibility to tell this story so future generations value and protect the rights we’ve earned. Dear Gentlemen is more than a movie—it’s a tribute to those who paved the way for our voices to be heard,” said Castañeda. The film balances historical fidelity with a gripping political drama.

The plot follows Esmeralda Arboleda, one of Colombia’s first female lawyers and the first woman elected to Congress. In a pivotal moment before her speech, she receives a heart-wrenching personal call, forcing her to choose between her duties as a mother and her social commitment.

Actress Julieth Restrepo stars as Arboleda, calling it a career milestone: “This role deeply honors me. During filming, I was pregnant with a daughter, constantly reminded that thanks to these women, my baby and I can vote today.”

The cast includes Paula Castaño (Josefina Valencia), Marcela Mar (Teresa Santamaría), Bárbara Perea (Bertha Hernández), Yuri Vargas, Silvia Santamaría, Claudio Cataño, and others.

Visual Design and Historical Authenticity

Shot in real locations, Dear Gentlemen authentically recreates 1954 Bogotá. Production designer Diana Trujillo focused on architectural and urban details, reflecting the era’s spirit through careful research. The color palette, inspired by Esmeralda’s character, features shades of emerald green symbolizing hope and feminine struggle, contrasted with blood-red to represent passion.

Massive Public Interest

With over half a million views on TikTok, the trailer has sparked excitement. Audiences celebrate the story’s importance, the strong cast, and the chance to remember a historic achievement. Others debate the activists’ political stances and the feminist movement’s evolution.

Dear Gentlemen premieres in Colombian theaters on November 28.

Recognizing the Suffragists

On June 13, 2024, the Senate passed Bill No. 286, honoring Colombia’s suffragist movement and the August 25, 1954 milestone. Lawmakers expressed hope that this recognition inspires young women to engage actively in politics, marking progress toward gender equality.

Despite numerous statues in Congress, none honor the courageous women who shaped the nation’s history—an oversight this film and law aim to address.

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