PURGATORIO: A JOURNEY INTO THE HEART OF THE BORDER
Director: Rodrigo Reyes A release for Matson FIlms Theatrical release: March 1, 2013Rodrigo Reyes’ provocative essay film re-imagines the Mexico/U.S. border as a mythical place comparable to Dante’s purgatory. Leaving politics aside, he takes a fresh look at the brutal beauty of the border and the people caught in its spell. By capturing a stunning mosaic of compelling characters and broken landscapes on the border, Reyes reflects on the flaws of human nature and the powerful absurdities of the modern world.
Reyes’ provocative essay film re-imagines the Mexico/U.S. border as a mythical place comparable to Dante’s purgatory. Leaving politics aside, he takes a fresh look at the brutal beauty of the border and the people caught in its spell. By capturing a stunning mosaic of compelling characters and broken landscapes that live on the US/Mexico border, the filmmaker reflects on the flaws of human nature and the powerful absurdities of the modern world. Purgatorio ultimately becomes a fable of humanity, an epic and visceral experience with powerful and lingering images.Variety
Captures the human reality of the border with a keen, observational eye.Hollywood Reporter
A searing, horrifying, at times starkly beautiful documentary ode to the netherworlds surrounding the U.S.-Mexico borderAndrew Barker, VARIETY
An elegiac and cinematically shot poem filled with emotional narration and iconographyChristine Davila, IndieWIRE
Beautifully photographed, exquisitely crafted film with poetic overtones and a wide sweeping visionAlan Berliner, Documentary Filmmaker
Specific and sublimeCynthia Fuchs, POP MATTERS