THE FRONTIER (LA FRONTERA) Latino Cinema

The wild, inspiring beauty of Southern Chile and the untamed spirits of those who live there get equal attention in first-time director Ricardo Larrain’s successful and engaging film, awarded a Silver Bear at the 1992 Berlin Film Festival and heralded by many as the best Chilean film in two decades. When a teacher is exiled to “la frontera” he appears headed for tragedy, another victim of the oppressive Pinochet regime. But he becomes familiar with the quirky local inhabitants, gets involved with an attractive woman, and comes to learn that the destructive ocean and the physical elements are masters in this part of the world. -David Hunter