Hostile Border (2015)

Directed by: Michael Dwyer

Written by: Kaitlin McLaughlin

Starring: Veronica Sixtos, Julio Cedillo, & Roberto Urbina








Before a few days ago, I didn't even know this film existed.  I only found out about it because I won tickets to one of their screenings at Lammle Theaters in North Hollywood via Cinelandia USA.  Don't you hate that?  All these independent features are being passed up because we don't know about them.  So hopefully by me writing this, it will get some more exposure. Plus you can get it on iTunes.

Claudia a.k.a. Pocha (Sixtos) is, unfortunately, involved in some shady business.  While at a club, she is discovered of credit card fraud and is arrested, forcing her back to Mexico.  (Now, a Pocha is a Chicano/a, but does not know Spanish or knows only a limited amount and when speaks it has an American accent.)  Trying to figure out how to get back to the states she heads to her father's ranch for help, but finds help in other ways which may or may not be illegal.

The film was interesting in a sense of seeing the reversal of immigration.  Rather than seeing immigrants come to the states, we see what happens when they go back.  It does raise the questions of do you try again to come to the states?  Is it over?  Are you stuck in Mexico forever?

Now, I thought the whole premise of the film was just that; getting back to the states.  But according to the panel that was after the screening,

it was much more than that.  The film is about identity and figuring out which to side with: being Mexican or American.  Unfortunately, maybe it was just me, but that didn't translate well.  I didn't see her battling with herself about her identity with her culture.  Maybe I heard the director wrong, but all I saw was her battling with herself on whether to do the right thing, but that's a different story that contains spoilers.

I thought the cast was terrific.  Sixtos is a great actress who was able to portray what the character was thinking/feeling all through her facial expressions.  She didn't have a lot of dialogue, which is understandable since most of the film takes place in Mexico and she does not speak much Spanish.  Her co-star Ricky (Urbina), (he's a cutie and from one of my favorite shows right now Recovery Road) is also amazing.  He had this sense about him where you want to trust him, but aren't sure if you should.

The cinematography was also terrific.  There are many scenes that take place out in the ranch and we get to see how majestic it can be to live in Mexico then what is usually portrayed in cinema with the cartel, the poor neighborhoods, etc...

Of course there is much more of this film that is amazing such as the music composition, editing, etc...  Despite all these great technical features of the film, the plot dragged a little and was not clear in the apparent struggle of Claudia's culture.  So overall I give it 4 popcorns.  Latino and independent films should be supported so if it's playing near you go see it and if you can't, you can find it on iTunes.