Film Depicting Costa Rica as a Haven for Corruption Draws Ire from Officials

The Minister of Public Security as well as the Costa Rican police are now taking offense to the Ben Affleck film, "Runner Runner." The film was actually first released in the fall of 2013 in the United States. Even so, the fact that it portrays officials in Costa Rica in a rather unflattering light apparently is just now coming to the attention of officials in that country.

Starring Justin Timberlake and Ben Affleck, the film centers around an online poker player and Princeton graduate student who travels to Costa Rica for the purposes of confronting an online gambling mogul who he believes has conned him. The film largely depicts Costa Rica has a haven for drug addicts and gamblers as well as a den of corrupt security officials and police.



In one particular scene, police officers in the country, wearing official uniforms, are seen smoking and drinking while in the company of prostitutes. The Ministry of Public Security has taken particular offense to that scene. The issue at hand is that the film used official police insignia on the uniforms; an act that the Minister of Public Security has stated is unlawful.

While the film is based in Costa Rica, it was not actually shot there. Instead, Brad Furman, director of the film, opted to shoot in Puerto Rica. As a result, Costa Ria is shown as an island in the film.

Over the years, Costa Rica has worked diligently to promote its beautiful landscape and strong commitment to sustainability. Rather than drawing attention to that, the film has instead tarnished the civilian police force's image. Officials are also concerned that the film may have served as an invitation for drug addicts and criminals to come to Costa Rica. Officials have demanded that the situation be rectified.