'Paraíso B' is the expression, or at least a glimpse into the 'paradise' some people in the suburbs of Chile get a chance to see. In middle of poverty and cheap porno, horse-gambling seems the only way out. At least for a while. The plot centers around the loser-lifestyles of these beings where as a character sentences at the beginning of the film: 'We were born here and we will die here'. The plot slightly fragile circles this endless sea where betting on horses IS the only way out or at least a starting point to leave any place else but there: a place where prostitutes, mob gangsters,drinking and pot-smoking on an empty swimming pool is the average endless day.The death of the prime characters' grandmother brings back from Miami the lost-love of Leo (played by Juan Pablo Ogalde)- Gloria (played by Leonor Varela)who as a teenager was forced to do sexual favors for 'track-money'. Now she comes back to everything she hates and has left aside from her past. Back home she sees nothing's really changed but the love for Leo...when a bad deal is made at the tracks, hell unleashes: his brother is sentenced to death by 'el Jefe'(a twisted old man into bondage)dragging Gloria and her past to present. But Pablo is given a second chance to do the right thing and regain his lost love and look for a way out of the suburb. Although the film is consisting some failures may be found in the sound production but the script and acting as well as the story line is very effective. Writter/Director Nicolás Acuña recreates the reality of the outskirts of Santiago, their lifestyles and aspirations with great realism.Not bad but could've gone much further in the filmaking...still waiting for his next outcome.
Karel Jorge Bosaans.
