Always a Witch is a Colombian fantasy television series on Netflix that follows the story of Carmen Eguiluz, a 17th-century witch who time travels to present-day Cartagena in order to save her loved ones. One of the standout aspects of the show is its ensemble cast, which brings together a diverse range of characters who each contribute to the overall narrative in unique ways. At the center of the ensemble is Carmen, portrayed by Angely Gaviria, who delivers a captivating performance as a determined and resourceful young witch. Carmen's journey from the past to the present is the driving force of the show, and Gaviria skillfully portrays the complexities of her character, from her vulnerability as a fish out of water to her unwavering determination to change her fate. Other notable characters in the ensemble include Carmen's love interest, Cristobal, played by Lenard Vanderaa, who provides a compelling counterpart to Carmen's character. Vanderaa brings a sense of charm and innocence to Cristobal, making their relationship a central aspect of the show's emotional core.
PG: I came to live in Cali nine years ago. I worked as a photographer for editorials, magazines, newspapers and artists between 2010 and 2015. In 2011, I started working at Delirio Hecho En Cali as director of the audiovisual and mapping department. I then got to manage Herencia de Timbiquí from 2012 to 2016.
They knocked it out of the park with the music on the series, most of which are by AfroColombian bands artists from the coastal regions, such as Tribu Baharú, Systema Solar, Pernett, Profetas, Zalama Crew, Papá Kumbé Miranda , and Sángo Groove. I met several colleagues and artists who required my services, I began to look for a wau to accommodate certain independent artists for whom I have great admiration and affinity, with the idea of offering label and agency services, and so it was that months later we created Discos Fiera.
Vanderaa brings a sense of charm and innocence to Cristobal, making their relationship a central aspect of the show's emotional core. Additionally, the supporting cast adds depth and nuance to the overall narrative. Each character has their own unique backstory and motivations, which intertwine with Carmen's journey.
Siempre Bruja – Always A Witch Review
(Image Courtesy of Netflix) Dropped on the first day of Black History Month, Netflix’s most recent show about witches leaves me confused. While originally marketed under its original title in Spanish, Siempe Bruja, but listed under its English translation, Always a Witch centers around the adventures of Carmen, an Afro-Latina witch from the late 1600s who time travels into the present day. What the ad campaign did not bother to mention is that this adventure is driven by Carmen’s desire to save the life of her love, who also happens to be the son of her master. While the show, in and of itself, is enjoyable as it conjures feelings of other witch based TV dramas like Charmed, this premise and the timing of its release leaves me wondering about it’s intent. We see scenes of Carmen being sold, her as a child using her powers to heal the wounds from lashings, and her being burned at the stake by the Inquisition, but when she arrives in the future, she never comments on how black people, or women for that matter, can walk in modern-day Colombia with an ease that she herself would have never known. When she arrives, she finds the house where she resides and convinces the woman who now owns it, a distant relative of the original owners, which is to say her owners and convinces her to let her live there in return for household chores, allowing her to stay in the room, we find out not that much later, was the room where she slept as a slave. It’s only mentioned in passing in Carmen’s inner monologue, so we never have the time for the horror of that to sink in. Right before the burning at the stake, Cristobal proclaims that if the Church wants to burn Carmen at the stake, they should burn him too, and apparently believing that Carmen has tempted him with magic, his father shoots him. Carmen speaks with another magic user, an old wizard imprisoned in the cell next to hers, go to the future to complete a task for him, and he will bring her back to before Cristobal was killed so that they may live out their lives together. Not only is that plot confusing to follow, but the show also seems more interested in, once she gets to the future, how much of a fish out of water Carmen is. She’s never had alcohol before, doesn’t know what hashtag is, or that no one uses gold for money anymore. The only mentions of her time as a slave is laughed off, people saying that either she’s connected to human trafficking or that slavery ended in Colombia hundreds of years previously. Beyond that, how the show is presented in odd. I haven’t watched many of the international shows that Netflix produced or procured, but in the case of Siempre Bruja, the English dub was the setting it opened with. I, personally, always prefer to hear the voices of the original cast when watching media in other languages, especially live action, so that I can get the whole performance as intended. Having the show listed in English with the English dub as the default option is another slap in the face of someone who wanted to see more representation of Latinx people in pop culture. Which leaves me where I am, not sure how to feel about this show. On itself face, all of the implications of its plot and complicated story aside, I have enjoyed the episodes of it that I’ve seen. The acting is great, the music is amazing, and the effects are pretty good. If you aren’t looking that close at it, it appears as a fun Colombian romp with a cast of beautiful and talented Latinx people. But looking at it for any time longer than the show wants you too, you’ll notice quickly that the emperor has no clothes. Its marketing campaign lies to us, telling us it’s about an Afro-Caribbean woman who uses her innate power to escape bondage to modernity, doing nothing with that lead and making it that the white male wizard is the one with the knowledge and power to aid her escape. It never examines that she’s a slave, in love with her master’s son, or how gross that power imbalance is, as often as we see it in romances between black women and white men in media. All I know for certain is that Siempre Bruja/Always a Witch is not what I was hoping it was going to be. David Castro is a Puerto Rican writer from New York City. He has worked on the upcoming Undead supplement for Chill Third Edition and is working on launching a Patreon. You can find him on Twitter (@theinkedknight), on Tumblr (thedevilsyouknew), on Facebook (facebook.com/inkstainedstudios), and at davidrcastro.com.
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In English, however, the tone is different:
From the enigmatic time-traveling wizard, Aldemar, played by Carlos Quintero, to the modern-day friends and allies Carmen encounters, such as Alicia, played by Verónica Orozco, and Mayte, played by Sofia Araújo, the ensemble cast is full of memorable performances. The ensemble cast of Always a Witch creates a rich and engaging world for viewers to immerse themselves in. The chemistry between the actors and the strength of their performances bring the story to life and make the audience truly invested in the characters' fates. With a diverse range of talents on display, the ensemble effortlessly showcases the complexities and nuances of the show's narrative, providing a truly captivating viewing experience. In conclusion, the ensemble cast of Always a Witch is a major highlight of the show. From the talented lead actors to the supporting cast, each member brings depth and nuance to their respective characters, contributing to the overall narrative in unique and compelling ways. The chemistry and performances of the ensemble create a captivating viewing experience that keeps audiences engaged from start to finish..
Reviews for "Conjuring Up Success: How the 'Always a Witch' Ensemble Cast a Spell on Audiences"
1. Melissa - 2/5 stars - I was really excited to watch "Always a Witch ensemble" after reading the intriguing summary, but I was ultimately disappointed. The characters lacked depth and the storyline felt rushed and underdeveloped. The acting was subpar, with many scenes appearing forced and unnatural. Additionally, the special effects seemed low-budget and failed to add any sense of magic or enchantment to the show. Overall, "Always a Witch ensemble" fell short of my expectations and I do not recommend it.
2. Robert - 2/5 stars - I usually enjoy fantasy shows, but "Always a Witch ensemble" was a letdown for me. The story was predictable and cliche, with no originality or surprises. The acting was mediocre and failed to bring the characters to life. The pacing of the show felt off, with certain scenes dragging on while others were rushed through. The costume and set design didn't do justice to the magical world being portrayed, and it ended up feeling cheap and unconvincing. Unfortunately, "Always a Witch ensemble" didn't captivate me and I wouldn't watch it again.
3. Sarah - 1/5 stars - I couldn't get past the first few episodes of "Always a Witch ensemble". The dialogue was cringe-worthy, filled with unnatural and cheesy lines. The plot was weak and lacked coherence, making it difficult to stay engaged. The acting was unconvincing and it seemed like the cast was struggling to bring their characters to life. The concept of time travel and witches could have been interesting, but the execution in this show was sloppy. I wouldn't recommend wasting your time on "Always a Witch ensemble".
4. David - 2/5 stars - As a fan of supernatural-themed shows, I was excited to give "Always a Witch ensemble" a chance. However, I found myself disappointed with the execution. The plot lacked depth and failed to provide a compelling storyline. The characters felt two-dimensional, with minimal development and relatability. The special effects looked amateurish and took away from the overall viewing experience. While there were a few enjoyable moments, they were overshadowed by the overall mediocrity of the show. I would suggest skipping "Always a Witch ensemble" and looking for another binge-worthy series.