Interno (2010) Andrea Borbolla

In a country where most of the cinema that's being created is negatively violent, it's a relief to find someone with the ability to approach in such a positive way, a subject which is so dark by nature... life in prison.  I had heard very good critics about this documentary, but I was very skeptic.  I'm glad to say it proved me wrong.



I really enjoyed watching it.  It has a very clear and progressive structure, which I always appreciate.  But the thing I liked most, was the way Andrea was able to connect with the prisoners.  They let her, and her crew, into their lives, and their crimes, their fears and regrets.  You get to see the human side all criminals have, but we rather dismiss, since it's easier to think of them as social scum, than to admit they are nothing but confused human beings, just like we are.

I think this documentary teaches us a great lesson about life, freedom and spirituality.  It confronts our already established ideas, and hopes to open us to a different way of relating to life.  I've never considered myself to be a spiritual person, but I have to be honest, this documentary really moved me into reconsidering it as a way of life. 

Some people say the documentary is too optimistic, too positive... it makes me wonder why is it that we find it so hard to believe life can sometimes be that way?  why doesn't anybody reproach when a documentary shows the negative side?  We tend to consider it to be critical, which has a positive connotation, instead of naive, which has a negative connotation.

The only thing I didn't like was the title in spanish, but I think that in english works very well... Within... like the Beatle's song... Life goes on within you or without you...