Movie Review: Border (2018) – A Haunting Tale of Identity and Otherness



Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)

Release Date: May 10, 2018 (Cannes Film Festival)

Genre: Fantasy, Drama, Romance

Director: Ali Abbasi

Screenplay: Ali Abbasi, Isabella Eklöf, John Ajvide Lindqvist

Cast: Eva Melander, Eero Milonoff, Jörgen Thorsson, Ann Petrén, Sten Ljunggren

Runtime: 110 minutes

Language: Swedish

Country: Sweden

Box Office Gross: $2.2 million





Introduction



Border (Swedish: Gräns) is a 2018 Swedish fantasy film directed by Ali Abbasi, based on a short story by John Ajvide Lindqvist. The film delves into the life of Tina, a customs officer with an extraordinary sense of smell, who encounters a mysterious man named Vore. This meeting leads her to uncover hidden truths about herself and challenges her perceptions of identity and humanity.





Plot Summary



Tina, portrayed by Eva Melander, works for the Swedish Customs Service and possesses a unique ability to detect contraband and human emotions through her heightened olfactory senses. Living a secluded life with her partner Roland, Tina’s world changes when she meets Vore, a man with similar physical features and abilities.


As their relationship develops, Tina discovers unsettling truths about Vore’s intentions and her own origins. The narrative unfolds to reveal a hidden world of mythical beings, forcing Tina to confront her identity and the moral complexities of her choices.





Performances



Eva Melander delivers a compelling performance as Tina, capturing the character’s internal struggle and transformation with nuance. Eero Milonoff’s portrayal of Vore adds depth to the enigmatic character, creating a dynamic interplay between the two leads that drives the film’s emotional core.





Direction & Cinematography



Ali Abbasi’s direction brings a surreal and atmospheric quality to the film, blending elements of fantasy and realism. The cinematography by Nadim Carlsen captures the stark beauty of the Swedish landscape, enhancing the film’s ethereal tone and emphasizing the themes of isolation and otherness.





Script & Pacing



The screenplay, co-written by Abbasi, Eklöf, and Lindqvist, weaves a narrative that is both intimate and expansive, exploring complex themes through a personal lens. The pacing allows for a gradual unfolding of the story, maintaining suspense while providing space for character development.





Themes & Tone



Border explores themes of identity, belonging, and the nature of humanity. The film challenges conventional notions of normalcy and delves into the experiences of those who exist on the fringes of society. Its tone oscillates between haunting and tender, reflecting the protagonist’s journey of self-discovery.





Reception & Accolades



Border received critical acclaim for its originality and depth. It won the Un Certain Regard award at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival and was Sweden’s submission for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 91st Academy Awards. The film was also nominated for Best Makeup and Hairstyling at the Oscars.





Final Verdict



Border stands out as a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant film that defies genre conventions. Its exploration of identity and otherness is both poignant and unsettling, offering a unique cinematic experience that lingers long after the credits roll.




Overall Rating: 4 out of 5 stars