Garras de oro (The Dawn of Justice)

WEST COAST PREMIERE

Considered lost until the 1980s, Garras de oro (The Dawn of Justice) is regarded as World Cinema’s first explicitly anti-imperialist film. The film follows a newspaper editorialist who publishes an article accusing U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt of violating an international treaty with Colombia, arguing that his role in Panama’s separation renders him unfit for re-election. The film interlaces themes of national sovereignty, political betrayal, and anti-imperialist critique, culminating in a patriotic celebration of Colombian independence and love.

This screening of Garras de oro (The Dawn of Justice) will be accompanied by an original score composed by local group, nobozos band, who will be performing live alongside the film. The film will follow a panel discussion about the film’s historical significance and its preservation with Kathy Rose O’Regan (San Francisco Film Preservation), Alex Feliciano Mejia (SFSU, ethnographic scholar of race, media, and education), and Héctor Hoyos (Stanford University Professor of Iberian and Latin American Cultures).

Co-presented by San Francisco Film Preserve

SFFP’s mission is to restore, preserve, and provide access to the world’s cinematic heritage, ensuring that works of cinema remain accessible for future generations. Through education, advocacy, and collaboration, we aim to inspire a deeper appreciation for the art of film while safeguarding its cultural significance for years to come.

*** Español**

Considerada la primera película anti-imperialista de Colombia, Garras de Oro sigue a un periodista  que necesita buscar pruebas para liberarse de una acusación de calumnia, por un editorial en el cual se afirmaba que Teodoro Roosevelt, no podía postularse para ser reelecto como presidente de los Estados Unidos, al haber incumplido un tratado internacional con Colombia y ser el artífice de la separación de Panamá. La película termina con una celebración patriótica del Día de la Independencia de Colombia y del amor.  

La proyección de Garras de oro (The Dawn of Justice) estará acompañada por una interpretación en vivo de la banda Nobozos, y será seguida de una mesa de conversación sobre la historia y preservación de la película con Kathy Rose O’Regan (San Francisco Film Preservation) y Alexander Feliciano Mejía (SFSU, investigador etnográfico de raza, lenguaje y educación).

Película restaurada por Fundación Patrimonio Fílmico Colombiano.