El Agua del Fin del Mundo (the Water at the End of the World) is that of the Beagle Channel in front of Ushuaia, the southernmost city in Argentina (and the world), a few miles north of the legendary Cape Horn and not far from Antarctica. The coat of arms of the city states "Ushuaia, end of the world, beginning of everything".
Ushuaia is the final destination of two young sisters, Laura and Adriana, the second terminally ill. Ariana has a last wish - to meet her destiny far from her life in borderline poverty in Buenos Aires. This is far from easy; the only income is from Laura, who makes a meager living as a cook in a pizza joint. However, she is aided by the owner, by her aunt and by Martín, an itinerant musician. Through all of them, the trip becomes a reality.
Paula Siero has a career as an actress beginning in 1996, both in films and in TV series, and this is her first (and so far only) directorial credit. It is not excessive to say that this movie is a masterpiece. Siero steers clear from sentimentality (her style is slightly reminiscent of Dogma 95 but much more natural, with excellent camera work by Daniel Sebastián Ortega) and the script (that Siero co-wrote) is nearly perfect. The acting is absolutely first rate: Guadalupe Docampo as Laura, Diana Lamas as Adriana and Facundo Arana as Martín hit all the right notes all through the movie. The rest of the actors is at the same level. Music by Chango Spasiuk, a top Argentinian folk musician of Ukrainian descent.
This movie was a complete surprise to me. I fervently expect further work by Ms. Siero.
Ushuaia is the final destination of two young sisters, Laura and Adriana, the second terminally ill. Ariana has a last wish - to meet her destiny far from her life in borderline poverty in Buenos Aires. This is far from easy; the only income is from Laura, who makes a meager living as a cook in a pizza joint. However, she is aided by the owner, by her aunt and by Martín, an itinerant musician. Through all of them, the trip becomes a reality.
Paula Siero has a career as an actress beginning in 1996, both in films and in TV series, and this is her first (and so far only) directorial credit. It is not excessive to say that this movie is a masterpiece. Siero steers clear from sentimentality (her style is slightly reminiscent of Dogma 95 but much more natural, with excellent camera work by Daniel Sebastián Ortega) and the script (that Siero co-wrote) is nearly perfect. The acting is absolutely first rate: Guadalupe Docampo as Laura, Diana Lamas as Adriana and Facundo Arana as Martín hit all the right notes all through the movie. The rest of the actors is at the same level. Music by Chango Spasiuk, a top Argentinian folk musician of Ukrainian descent.
This movie was a complete surprise to me. I fervently expect further work by Ms. Siero.
