South of the Border

Here we have a completely lopsided documentary starring Hugo Chavez, Evo Morales, and of course Oliver Stone as the on-camera host. It was nice to see Oliver sitting and talking to the all the major players of South America and Cuba. But so what? Stone implies that because Fox News is a completely transparent propaganda machine that Hugo is not a dictator but a misunderstood hero of the continuing Bolivarian and communist revolutions. At least he is right about Fox news. He seems to get almost every other fact about Chavez and Morales wrong. To make Chavez shine like a new penny, Stone includes interviews with Christina and Lula. Pure farce.

I was hoping to learn something about Chavez and Venezuela, something that might change my opinion. I wanted to learn about the irrevocable changes to the political system there. But what I got was a pathetic excuse for Stone to schmooze with various heads of states as he toured South America as the other kind of American.

This is a terrible, self-serving documentary that has no place in an intelligent discussion of Chavez. There is no journalism here, no fairness, and nothing to learn. Just a puzzle and perhaps the end of a career for Stone.

Argentinian ex-president Néstor Kirchner's death last month brings to mind his role as one of the progressive leaders who rose to prominence in South America in the early 2000s. Oliver Stone's "South of the Border" looks at this leftward swing.

Prior to the release of "South of the Border", I had heard both praise of it and criticism of it, both coming from sources that one would expect. If you know nothing about US policies in Latin America, then the documentary might be a little hard to understand. But this is definitely something that everyone should see. Stone interviews a number of the leftist leaders who rose to power in South America in the early 21st century: Venezuela's Hugo Chávez and Bolivia's Evo Morales, to name a few. The leaders explain how the US had kept Latin American economies beholden to the IMF, and often kept despotic regimes in power to enforce its will. To be certain, Argentina's Cristina Fernández de Kirchner details exactly how the IMF sent Argentina's economy into turmoil.

Part of the documentary's focus is on the misleadingly negative portrayal of people like Hugo Chávez in the media (and in particular, how they manipulated footage of the failed 2002 coup against him to make it look as though his supporters attacked protesters).

The criticism of the documentary has been that Stone does not interview critics of the leftist leaders. Of course, we have heard mostly criticism of these leaders - of which Stone shows an example from a Fox News talk show - so this documentary IS the alternative view. As Stone also notes, the US ally Colombia always gets a free pass despite its atrocious human rights record. I certainly recommend "South of the Border". And remember: Bush, you are a donkey!

Stone is a heavy name in American film. It is used here to help balance the US media's ignorance of recent South American political inclinations. He interviews many elected officials, all of whom seem to be pretty enlightened guys, just like Stone. But they are politicians, each tooting their own horn - one couldn't expect any less. Big meaningful progressive issues are bandied about with revolutionary relish. And Stone could not be less inclined to investigate the ground beneath their feet.

If all this great stuff is happening in South America I couldn't be happier. But knowing how the world works I found it difficult to swallow all of the rhetoric as easily as Stone. His ear is surely closer to the ground than Fox, CNN or the NYT. But what does he need to do, as a filmmaker, to convince his audience of his point of view? He needs to show the proof in the pudding. Lets see the beans in the burrito. Not just the guacamole sauce.

How are these political changes working for the citizens? Let's hear it from the ground up, Oliver. How is Bolivarianism actually achieved within a 21st century global economy? I want to SEE this. If it is happening, why not show the nuts and bolts? Why not interview the newly empowered taxpaying residents and let them show the world how the new policies are changing their lives? To hear politicians gush about it will only move audiences to skepticism. By faith alone? - that's strictly for gringos.

As a fiction and fantasy auteur, it may be that Stone doesn't believe that a documentary approach can speak to the hearts and minds of a society raised on cable junk. He's probably right. But if he's a committed socialist he should work at it a little harder. Many of us are riper for it than even he may realize.

The vast majority of North Americans know nothing or very little of what happens in South America. When our media is not concerned with "news" regarding Tiger Woods' latest romantic conquest or graphic details of some sick murder they give us some "real" international news. These international news help us decide - actually make us decide - who the good guys and who the bad guys are. Media can be "subtle" for the more "sophisticated" among us or simply brainwashing drivel of Fox news nature. In any case it more dis-informs than informs. In this film, Oliver Stone opens our eyes to what really happens in South America - their (many) problems their attempts to solutions their changes. If Fox News and The CNN have not brainwashed you completely and irreversibly, you've got to see this film.

For anybody who has no idea what has gone on in Central and South America in the last 75 years, this may not be the best place to start. We are all experts on the middle east by this point. But it is sad to say, even here in the early 21st century, nobody has any idea what is going on south of the border.

Oliver Stone's documentary of sorts doesn't help fill in those gaps - watch Salvador first - but it goes a long way in illuminating the propaganda Americans are fed by cable TV "news" devoid of actual journalism. This isn't a really deep documentary, which is a fair knock. Stone is really out to just show us the other side of the mirror.

Hugo Chavez is not a saint but nor is he a religious zealot sending waves of suicide bombers into crowded markets. He has done some good. And yes, he has done some bad - very little covered in the movie. There is no coverage of the rampant street violence, "secuestro express" kidnappings or incomprehensible corruption. But, I think its unfair to completely dismiss the film. it is too easy to paint villains in our society and this film gives some breath from the one dimensional views that wash up on our TV sets.

If you wonder how people like Chavez take power around the world, it isn't by accident. Look at the standard of living the people in these countries live in. Americans are spoiled. Somos ricos. But a high standard of living does not grant us endowed wisdom. We don't know everything. We aren't always right. If you've never seen real poverty and strife first-hand, as much of the world lives in, then this movie can do nothing to change your mind. But hopefully, it can help you ask some questions of your own.

You don't have to love Chavez, but maybe you'll think twice about how you view your own country and the garbage fed nightly to our population over cable TV.