Border * * * * 1/2
I fondly remember Let The Right One In from ten years ago - the original Scandinavian film that is, not the America remake. Well, this film is written by the same person. Cleverly it once again persuades you to believe the ridiculous - such as mythical creatures - and even sympathise with their plight.
Perhaps I'm reading too much into it, but I found Border very rich in symbolism and analogy, presenting a powerful voice for the outsider - especially persons who are Transgender or persons who are disassociated from their homeland, or persons who have had their past stolen. Looking at it on that level Border is a very moving parable.
By broadly accepted standards Tina is quite an usual looking woman. She works on border security where she is exceptional at picking out any passenger who is attempting to smuggle illicit material into the country. She does it with her nose. But unlike a sniffer dog it's not the contraband she smells, it is the person. She smells fear, guilt, anxiety. She does not know how she can do it, she simply has that skill.
One day she smells a man coming through the gates who carries a putrid scent. Tina smells out his cleverly hidden contraband. He is arrested and we learn he is part of a syndicate who are involved in the most heinous of crimes. Tina is then asked to use her nose to help the police catch the other syndicate members. Weird yes, even funny, but by now we are happy to go with it.
Tina lives in a cottage in the forest. She has a lodger who is disrespectful and useless. He breeds naturally aggressive dogs which she tolerates. She first let him in because she was lonely but now he is almost like an invader in her world.
She loves her environment and walks barefoot on the forest floor and swims naked in the lake. A shy fox will approach her unafraid.
On another day a passenger comes through and the aroma is overwhelming - for both of them. Here is someone with the same skills as her. His name is Vore. He's also physically similar. He tells her where he will be staying. Tina finds she cannot stay away from him, but he welcomes her. Their mutual attraction is irresistible. She invites him to come and stay at her house. With Vore she feels she can be herself completely. And then she learns why - and so do we.
At this stage the film plays a dangerous card. It suddenly demystifies itself and we are asked to make a big leap: but we are so seduced we cannot help but believe this crazy explanation and simply, even happily, accept it.
I have not yet spoken about what Tina helps the police uncover, nor how her relationship with Vore unfolds and the secret she learns from her geriatric father, but really, I don't want to spoil the journey for you.
This is an immensely rich film, full of circumstance and symbols. I encourage you to go see this weird and beautiful creation.
Perhaps I'm reading too much into it, but I found Border very rich in symbolism and analogy, presenting a powerful voice for the outsider - especially persons who are Transgender or persons who are disassociated from their homeland, or persons who have had their past stolen. Looking at it on that level Border is a very moving parable.
By broadly accepted standards Tina is quite an usual looking woman. She works on border security where she is exceptional at picking out any passenger who is attempting to smuggle illicit material into the country. She does it with her nose. But unlike a sniffer dog it's not the contraband she smells, it is the person. She smells fear, guilt, anxiety. She does not know how she can do it, she simply has that skill.
One day she smells a man coming through the gates who carries a putrid scent. Tina smells out his cleverly hidden contraband. He is arrested and we learn he is part of a syndicate who are involved in the most heinous of crimes. Tina is then asked to use her nose to help the police catch the other syndicate members. Weird yes, even funny, but by now we are happy to go with it.
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| Anything to declare? Heaps! |
She loves her environment and walks barefoot on the forest floor and swims naked in the lake. A shy fox will approach her unafraid.
On another day a passenger comes through and the aroma is overwhelming - for both of them. Here is someone with the same skills as her. His name is Vore. He's also physically similar. He tells her where he will be staying. Tina finds she cannot stay away from him, but he welcomes her. Their mutual attraction is irresistible. She invites him to come and stay at her house. With Vore she feels she can be herself completely. And then she learns why - and so do we.
At this stage the film plays a dangerous card. It suddenly demystifies itself and we are asked to make a big leap: but we are so seduced we cannot help but believe this crazy explanation and simply, even happily, accept it.
I have not yet spoken about what Tina helps the police uncover, nor how her relationship with Vore unfolds and the secret she learns from her geriatric father, but really, I don't want to spoil the journey for you.
This is an immensely rich film, full of circumstance and symbols. I encourage you to go see this weird and beautiful creation.
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