La Frontera (Chile, 1992)

El 'paco'  y Ramiro.

La Frontera (Chile, 1992) This is the sort of hidden gem I fossick for. Multi-layered it is rich with content and leaves you thinking about it long after. Where is the teacher Ramiro being taken to and how will he be treated? These questions forebode badly in ones mind realising that this was the Pinochet era of military rule in Chile. The superficial joviality of the two police adds to the suspense and you sense that any time the prisoner will be beaten up and dumped somewhere. But no they are under instructions to exile him to the deep south of Chile. The tension is alleviated a little once they hand him over to local authorities who have to sign a document declaring that they have received him in 'good condition'. They have arrived to some gloomy rainy though very beautiful and isolated part of Chile which has been inundated with tidal waves in the past. The locals here still have a living tradition of their Non-Christian ancestries and the local priest is an English speaking missionary. Ramiro is treated well but called the 'terrorist' and is given a bed at the parish. In a memorable scene he drowns his sorrow at the tavern 'where the lost souls congregate' (Dylan) and demands that someone ask him to dance. A man takes both his arms and as if locking horns they begin to dance. Then the rest of the men join in a slow mournful song. I enjoyed also the passing town-scapes and dirt roads, the local characters, you wonder what their past had been and how they got there. Many unanswered questions keep the mystery of the place and we learn a little bit of Ramiro's past but we don't know what lies in wait for him. I will revisit this film again because it is still revolving in the back of my mind.