South Of The Border (Oliver Stone, 2009): USA

Reviewed by Kazimir Berman. Viewed at the Santa Barbara Film Festival.

South of the Border, by Oliver Stone gave me a whole new perspective on South American Government. Popularly demonized by the western media: Presidents such as Venezuala’s Hugo Chavez and Bolivia’s Evo Morales have been depicted as a dictator and a socialist. Stones angle is one that keeps the heavy issues light while maintaining my interest in the films political issues. Stones comedic approach gives him an edge in getting these leaders of nations to show their true colors and to be themselves. South of the Border is definately one of the best Documentaries of the year.

Time Magazine stated that the film was “lopsided and cheerleadery”. Controversial, Stone attempts to show leaders such as Chavez in a new light, ” I think Hugo Chávez is an extremely dynamic and charismatic figure. He’s open and warmhearted and big, and a fascinating character. But when I go back to the States I keep hearing these horror stories about ‘dictator,’ ‘bad guy,’ ‘menace to American society.’ I think the project started as something about the American media demonizing Latin leaders. It became more than that as we got more involved. The press in America, I think you’re aware, has divided the Latin continent into the ‘bad Left’ and the ‘good Left’. They’ve now listed Correa as the bad Left, along with Morales and with Chávez. They call Lula, the good Left. I don’t know what they make of Kirchner yet, because they go back and forth, but I think they’re turning against Kirchner more and more. You get this distinction, and I think it’s a false distinction.”

The film investigates the International Monetary Fund, their economic policies and their push for free market trade. The film leads one to consider that the IMF was involved in created a false picture of Chavez in order to reach their own economic goals. Chavez, who was raised very humbly in Venezuala is shown working far into the night, studying politics and government while serving as president. He is depicted as a committed caring leader who has his best interests for the people of his country, South America as a whole and the world at large.