Green Frontier

Netflix continues to release some impressive and original television series from around the world, this one from Colombia. While the supernatural elements of this series sometimes detract from immersion in the story, and the non-linear narrative can be challenging, it is a good story, well-written and convincingly cast.

This Colombian crime drama opens with the discovery of the bodies of four female missionaries in the jungle. Helena Poveda is dispatched from Bogota to investigate; she is teamed with a native police officer who is estranged from his tribe. Shortly after her arrival another body is found; a native woman wearing clothes similar to the missionaries is hanging from a tree... her heart has been removed. As Helena's investigation progresses she quickly grows to suspect that the local police can't be trusted. Interwoven with scenes of the investigation we see details of the local tribe's life; in particular Ushe, the dead woman, and a man named Yua; these two have a deep, spiritual connection to the jungle.

I described this as a crime drama but it is so much more than that. The central mystery is intriguing but there are also questions to be answered about Helena's childhood and the trustworthiness of local police. There is also the story of Ushe and Yua and their unique spiritual connection to the jungle; and one western man's determination to uncover the secret of their connection. The scenes set in the jungle looks fantastic; whether it is scenes amongst the trees or shots of small boats going up massive rivers and smaller tributaries. The cast is impressive; I was pleased that the indigenous characters mostly spoke in their own language. Overall I'd definitely recommend this eight part series to anybody after a crime drama with a difference.

These comments are based on watching the series in Spanish and indigenous languages with English subtitles.

This series is truly unique as a Bogota detective sent by the Attorney General investigates the deaths of 4 missionary girls and one indigenous woman who is more than she seems, in many respects. Wonderful photography, great acting, and a mythical script combine to keep you watching episode after episode. The use of flashbacks is excellent, though may be confusing for some.

Then it hits the wall. After 5 great episodes, the story veers off track. I don't want to give up the twist that's coming, but it's a poor one from my POV and detracts from what was otherwise a marvelous series. Despite this tragic flaw, the series is well worth viewing. It's a 10 if it wasn't for this plot flaw.

This series is really unique, I've never seen something like this, It's really worth the watch. It's not so much of a thriller rather than a really complex fantastic-kind-of-mystery involving two powerful female characters in two different time lines and cultures. It's beyond artsy and rare. Really interesting characters and plotlines. Breathtaking cinematography and locations. A unique view of a colombian culture that seems to be hidden deep in the jungle. Although slow-paced, it's actually really fast to binge, when the ending credits of the last episode started rolling I couldn't believe I watched the 8 episodes.

Great production.

This must be the finest Colombian production since "Narcos". But unlike the "Narcos" story arc, a beam of truth and enlightenment shines through the story, characterization and cinematography. Even if at times the writing and direction falls back on familiar stereotypes and corny special effects (like a human heart beating inside an air-filled glass jar), in the aggregate, this is a brilliant telling, not of a story, but a certain truth about human beings and Mother Nature. It's not necessarily a happy or comfortable truth but one we desperately need to understand and experience. A unifying theme here is nature Goddess worship and its connection to health, longevity and happiness. Joseph Campbell and C.G. Jung would have loved this series!