You are here:

Close to the Border

Name: Close to the Border
Director: Rodolfo Durán
Released: 2000
Duration: 90 min

Representation Score

6.6/10

Good

2000

PG-13

Director

Rodolfo Durán

Runtime

90 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

Close to the Border is a character-driven drama that challenges established institutional powers. By focusing on a journalist fleeing danger and a progressive priest, the film explores moral decision-making against the backdrop of 1978 Buenos Aires. The narrative elevates female characters like Marina and Margarita, giving them psychological depth and significant roles. This prevents the film from relying on traditional clichés where women are merely supporting characters. However, the film's representation remains somewhat speculative. While it hints at progressive social views, it lacks explicit visibility for LGBTQ+ identities and provides no information regarding disability representation.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does Close to the Border have LGBTQ+ representation?

Fair

The film does not explicitly depict queer identities or same-sex relationships. However, Father Gabriel's progressive stance suggests a challenge to traditional religious norms.

How does Close to the Border portray gender?

Good

Marina and Margarita play significant roles in the story, influencing the protagonist strongly. Their active involvement helps disrupt conventional gender hierarchies.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Close to the Border?

Good

The story addresses regional identity and the socio-political context of South America. Its focus on borders highlights issues of migration and displacement.

How does Close to the Border represent religion and culture?

Excellent

The film critiques institutional authority by showing a priest who operates independently of traditional church doctrine. It also examines the tension between personal truth and state censorship.

Does Close to the Border include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no documented evidence regarding the portrayal of physical or neurodivergent disabilities in this work.

Present on Screen

Strong female characters with significant roles and conviction.
Effective critique of institutional authority and religious dogma.
Nuanced exploration of socio-political tension and individual morality.

Limited or Absent

Lack of explicit LGBTQ+ representation or identity visibility.
Absence of documented representation for physical or neurodivergent disabilities.

Official Synopsis

Esteban is a journalist who is escaping to the northern border. In the Buenos Aires of 1978, his life is in danger. The threats after one of his articles in the newspaper and his own inner conflicts push him to run away. But crossing the border is impossible. He comes back to a village near the frontier, where he stays at Father Gabriel's, a priest with ideas and attitudes of mind far from the traditional church. There he will meet Marina and Margarita, who will complete this human group with strong convictions. His stay there will be a definitive experience.

How are these scores produced? →