Director: Rodrigo Reyes
USA/Mexico, 2014,

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. Variety called the film, “A searing, horrifying, at times starkly beautiful documentary ode to the netherworlds surrounding the U.S.-Mexico barrier.” Documentary Filmmaker added that the film is “an exquisitely crafted film with poetic overtones and a wide sweeping vision.” The film premiered last year at the Guadalajara fest and has played over 40 festivals including LA and MOMA’s Documentary Fortnight. PURGATORIO has won a slew of Best Documentary awards and Reyes was recognized as one of Filmmaker Magazine’s 25 Filmmakers to Watch.
This is a unique and powerful film from a new director with startling vision. As with the best movies, PURGATORIO provokes a new perspective on a subject we think we understand.

- See more at: http://www.creativealliance.org/events/2014/purgatorio-journey-heart-bor...