In a sea of films, the waves can sometimes become so predictable that, while sailing, you hope for a wave that may have a different shape, such as square, so it stands out and gives you a new experience. Unfortunately the chance of this happening is extremely small, but as a film lover you hope to discover one. A film which gives you hope that there are still unique things to be found. Gräns (Border) is such a title.
Tina (Eva Melander) is a customs officer with a special gift. She is able to smell when someone is hiding something from her. She is able to fish out smugglers without errors. With her unique appearance, she often seems to have little emotion, but that changes when she picks out a man she is unable to read correctly. She feels a connection and starts an exploration of her own feelings, what she wants and who she is.
Gräns is a title that cannot be easily classified, making it even better. It contains fantasy, horror, romantic and crime elements that are brought together into a film which make you sit on the edge of your seat one moment and makes you feel disgusted the next by what someone is capable of. Director Abbasi does not turn the characters into “freaks” or caricatures, but simply people who are different but also have the same struggle with their emotions and choices in their lives as everyone else. It is precisely this that ensures that you as a viewer are drawn into the world of Tina. A world that will not let you go and will continue to haunt you a while after seeing it.
[score8]