Colombian Series ‘The Hijacking of Flight 601’ Premieres on Netflix

Netflix premieres the Colombian miniseries “The Hijacking of Flight 601,” a story based on real events surrounding an aircraft hijacking considered the longest in Latin America. The production debuted on April 10th and recounts the events of 1973, when a plane remained in the air for nearly 55 hours, overflying cities such as Medellin and Cali, and countries including Aruba, Panama, Costa Rica, and Argentina.

The narrative finds its roots in the pages of “Los Condenados del Aire” (The Condemned of the Air) by Italian journalist Massimo Di Ricco, chronicling the daring hijack on May 30th, 1973. Two armed revolutionaries commandeered a Colombian aircraft, demanding the release of 50 political detainees and a substantial cash ransom.

Now adapted into a six-episode miniseries, the production is available exclusively on Netflix. The stellar cast features Colombian actors Monica Lopera, Christian Tappan, Enrique Carriazo, Marcela Benjumea, and Angela Cano, alongside Argentinean talent Valentin Villafañe playing one of the hijackers, who in real life were Paraguayans.

The making of Netflix’s ‘The Hijacking of Flight 601’

Behind the camera, its directors Camilo Prince and Pablo Gonzalez said they drew inspiration from Di Ricco’s book and an episode of the podcast Radio Ambulante, titled “Los Aeropiratas” (The Aeropirates). They also mentioned the “El Colombiano” newspaper, which sought out individuals with relatives who had experienced such kidnappings, helping to consolidate the project.

The production meticulously recreates the ambiance, settings, and costumes of the 1970s, while utilizing cutting-edge technology to simulate an airborne hijacking. Christian Tappan, portraying Commander Lucena, stated, “The LED screens around us changed, clouds passed, the light changed. It was very nice to be able to believe the story.”

The original book’s author had an interest in air hijackings which stemmed from his fascination with narratives associated with similar acts perpetrated in the Middle East. Now, this derivative miniseries seeks to delve into the political motivations underlying such audacious acts. In doing so, it fosters a compelling cultural exchange, aiming not just to captivate audiences but also to illuminate the intricate political, social, and cultural complexity of the turbulent 1970s era.