Purgatorio: Journey Into the Heart of the Border

Rodrigo Reyes' provocative essay film re-imagines the Mexico/U.S border as a mythical place comparable to Dante's purgatory. Leaving politics aside, he takes a fresh look at the brutal beauty of the border and the people caught in it's spell. By capturing a stunning mosaic of compelling characters and broken landscapes on the border, Reyes reflects on the flaws of human nature and and the powerful absurdities of the modern world. Purgatorio premiered in the Guadalajara International Film Festival. Since then, it has screened at nearly 40 festivals around the world including the Los Angeles Film Festival, Vancouver International, Warsaw Film Festival and the prestigious Documentary Fortnight at New York's Museum of Modern Art. Purgatorio won the Jury Awards for Best Documentary at the New Orleans Film Festival as well as This Human World in Vienna and the Michael Noore Award at Traverse City. Rodrigo Reyes is a young, talented director who has been selected as part of the coveted 25 New Faces of Independent Film by Filmmaker Magazine and has been awarded by Tribeca Film Institute, Film Independent and NALIP.