Upon Entry - L'arrivo

A Spanish duo dreaming of a new life in the United States have reached an important milestone - after a long journey, they have finally landed in New York. It would seem that there is very little left to do: wait for the next flight to Miami, where a bright future awaits them. But fate presents an unpleasant surprise - the couple is sent for additional inspection. Despite the impeccable documents, immigration officers remain silent about the reasons for the detention. And now it becomes clear - because of this delay, they will definitely miss their flight to the city where they planned to start a new chapter in their lives. The opening scenes of the film created an intriguing atmosphere, awakening genuine interest. However, everything came down to tedious dialogues and unpleasant, unethical questions from immigration officers, which seemed to have little to do with the document verification procedure. When it became obvious that the entire plot was built solely on the depiction of an exhausting, degrading interrogation, disappointment overwhelmed. After watching the film, I got the impression that it was just a low-budget thriller with a primitive, as if hastily sketched script. I really regret that I succumbed to the provocative title and wasted time watching such a mediocre work.

This one felt like: "Ok, what kind of movie can we film to engage as many viewers as possible? Who's the target audience? Most likely those are people who can afford to travel overseas, which means they've all been through security and customs control so let's make a story out of it because people will want to see it!" So yes, I wanted to see it, I bought the ticket, came to the theatre and watched it in its entirety - mission complete. Is that enough?

I am meaning to say the movie is well built-up and really interesting to watch, with a lot of suspense, but please help me! I missed the point, what's the message?

A Spanish speaking couple is entering the US with their visas in hope for a new life, the border police decide to question them both together and separately, which becomes a painful and unnerving experience for both of them. I liked the way the interrogation was built up and acted out, I even liked the ending but did I like the film?

Diego and Elena leave Barcelona for New York. A new life project filled with positive aspirations. But a 'simple' customs check is about to turn everything upside down.

"Border Line" establishes itself as an intense and remarkably controlled cinematic experience within its concise 1h15 runtime. Far from getting lost in unnecessary detours, the film focuses its energy on an oppressive "huis clos", maintaining palpable tension from beginning to end.

The direction judiciously chooses to linger on faces, a true narrative tool allowing it to capture the slightest nuance in the actors' performances and connect us directly to the emotions running through the characters: fear, hope, exhaustion, defiance. We feel their inner experience up close, making the experience immersive and profoundly human.

Beyond the personal drama unfolding, "Border Line" highlights with great accuracy the absurdity of certain immigration procedures. Without falling into heavy-handed demonstration, the film exposes the workings of a system where bureaucratic logic sometimes seems to override humanity, confronting individuals with excessive requirements disconnected from their reality.

The heart of the story, the interrogation, is particularly successful in its ability to create a tangible unease in the viewer. Its interminable nature, its intrusiveness, and the complete lack of propriety in the questions asked place us in an uncomfortable position, making us share the vulnerability and psychological exhaustion of the characters subjected to this veritable verbal knockout.

"Border Line" is a concise and impactful work that stands out for its direct approach. Its strength lies in its ability to combine narrative intensity, psychological finesse thanks to a camera close to the characters, and a subtle yet sharp social critique. A necessary film that challenges the viewer and stays in memory long after the end credits roll.