Sudeste

At the beginning of Sudeste, the father of protagonist Boga dies. His death is not really a surprise for the young man: he accepts it as part of the cycle of life. For Boga, who lives in the endless water and marine lands of the Parana River in the north of Argentina, the death of his father mainly means freedom. He is used to earning his living as a fisherman and sets off with his boat, without any real destination. On the way he sees other inhabitants of the river ? a river that he regards as his own and so he sees the others as intruders. In the background, the towering skyscrapers of Buenos Aires can be seen: it is clear that the river is not an isolated, primitive paradise. Boga meets El Pampa, a real river rat with a past. El Pampa has been shot and doesn’t think he has long to live. He asks Boga to take some money to La Estela (played by Carmen Baliero, who also composed the beautiful music). This sets off a series of violent events.Bellotti manages to evoke a Hemingway atmosphere of endless reed lands. Against the background of the unusual location, blood, (male) sweat, insects and an occasional tropical storm determine life. A fine example of a modern nomad film.