Voxitype
Good films always raise compelling questions, whether the format is fiction or documentary fact.
Invaderbank
The film creates a perfect balance between action and depth of basic needs, in the midst of an infertile atmosphere.
Nayan Gough
A great movie, one of the best of this year. There was a bit of confusion at one point in the plot, but nothing serious.
Mark Turner
With all the discussion about illegal immigrants and problems along the Mexican border you would think more movies would be made about the topic. The only problem is if that happened then sides would be taken, arguments would follow and according to the press mass hysteria would occur. So when this movie arrived I wasn't sure what to make of it but I'm glad I got to see it. Rather than take sides on the issues it tells a story instead and that's a good sign of a well-made movie.Claudia (Veronica Sixtos) is an illegal immigrant living in living in the US with her mother and making a living via credit card fraud and identity theft. Living beyond her means in what seems to be a soulless stupor she is caught by the FBI and deported across the border to live with her father, Andres (Julio Cedillo). Andres has not been a big part of Claudia's life in the past and he has little sympathy for her nor intentions of taking it easy on her. His ranch is a hard lifestyle to change too and the work isn't easy but he expects her to carry her own load.All the while Claudia thinks of nothing but returning across the border illegally and back to the US. Andres has his ranch hand Arturo take Claudia with him to work on the fences. While out at a far end of the ranch Arturo sees a car headed for them and runs for a nearby hill. In the car is Ricky (Roberto Urbina), a smuggler that Arturo works for on the side. Having stolen from him Ricky and his men have every intention of killing Arturo and Claudia leaving no witnesses behind. When Claudia offers her services to Ricky to help him do the job assigned to Arturo he agrees and leaves with Arturo tied to the back of his car.As the movie progresses Claudia continues to seem to have no life inside of her. While her father constantly argues with her Claudia's grandmother tells him he needs patience and to guide her. Claudia goes from helping Ricky to sharing his bed, all with the hopes of making enough money and a connection with him that he'll smuggle her back across the border. It's a deadly game and one she might not survive, especially when the military shows to put an end to the border smuggling operation. Just who will survive and the question of Claudia finding her soul make for an interesting film.As I said from the start what really made this film interesting was the fact that it took the issues of border security and illegal immigrants and turned it on its head, not taking one side or the other and discussing both the lure of coming to America (taking a part of the vast wealth possible there) and the story of a young woman who is so caught up in her desire to live the high life that she never thinks further than her own needs and how she matures before the film ends. By taking on these issues rather than those most would expect we have a fleshed out story rather than rhetoric from one side or the other on the political aspects of the concept. In the end while each of those issues posed are discussed the film provokes one to consider those political ideas at the same time in a back door sort of way.The film is well made and looks great. The performances from actors I for one am unfamiliar with were so well done that you never thought you were watching anyone act, they seemed to be the roles they were playing. There are some scenes of sexuality that some might be bothered by but the majority of people will simply gloss over; that being said it is definitely not a movie for children. But for those willing to watch this film you will find yourself engrossed in the story of Claudia and her family and think more when it comes to the issues of the border.
KATO-SUBZERO
1 May 2016: I found this movie, "Hostile Border" by accident and since there aren't that many movies with an all Hispanic cast in America, I decided to watch it. The entire cast was good, but Mexican American lead actress, Veronica Sixtos and Colombian actor, Roberto Urbina are the best in the movie. Mexican American actor, Julio Cedillo is also good as the father. The actress playing the grandmother in the film was okay, but I was not that moved by her performance.I was also glad that there was Not any hard violence or rape scenes on women. I am tired of seeing women get beaten up or raped in movies and t.v shows. There is one scene where Ricky does a baseball bat swing with a shovel and kills grandma. There is one nice sex scene {where Claudia is topless} that is split in with other scenes, but the nudity is brief. I am a man and I do love seeing pretty women, but the audience does Not need to see a full blown love scene with lots of nudity to get the picture. Any love scene from the moment a man & woman start passionately kissing and going into the bedroom or taking off of clothes, that is enough for the audience to know what is going to happen next.There is one racial slur made by Robert Urbina's Ricky character about Mexicans and Claudia asks him if he is Mexican and makes a second unnecessary racist remark. Hum, there are so many Hispanics/Latinos in American and approximately 18-20 Latin countries {Not including Spain} such as the Latin countries that most people do not think of; Argentina, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Dominican Republic,and Honduras. Most focus on Mexico, Guatemala, Puerto Rico and Cuba.I was a bit surprised by the ending at the U.S-Mexican border. Claudia had finally won her chance to cross back into America with lots of cash, but she decides to stay in Mexico thereby breaking her promise that she made to return to her mother in the beginning of the film, which means she will never to see her mother again or not in the near future. On a scale of 1~10, I give this film an 8 and one thumb up.
Mary Kate Lynch
This is a great film, It is excellent and you should definitely watch it. Through this movie I was very interested and at the edge of my seat not knowing what was going to come next. This movie contains live animals and this makes me gain lots of respect for the directors for being able to work with these animals. Also the writer shows lots of emotion through the intense scenes. There's are lots of surprises especially the flame thrower who kicks ass! Also the writer wrote the main character as a female which shows the writer as very brave to do this because in most films, especially films like this the main character is a man and the writer still used a female for the lead! Through the film the relationships between characters are both shocking and interesting!! that is why this film is unique! Therefore, this is a film that is worth watching!!
marycarolmcl
I have to say the adventurousness of this humanistic thriller lived up to the trailer and did not disappoint. A controversial subject matter to say the least! It' is certainly a different perspective for the movie goer to have to make so many decisions about how to feel about a main character. I find myself still shocked by some of the decisions and consequences experienced by Claudia, the main character. This film is both high action and socially and emotionally complex. The film is beautifully shot. These filmmakers did not cheat the audience of the opportunity to experience some breathtaking countryside. I will need to watch it again to see if my opinion of some of the intense situations and scenarios evolve. This movie is entertaining, thought provoking and dramatic! Definitely check it out.
