Film Review: Somewhere Near Tapachula

There is something very heart-warming about this documentary’s simplistic and unflinching approach. Made by surfing enthusiasts and filmmakers, Stefan Hunt and Jonno Durrant (Surfing 50 States), Somewhere Near Tapachula shows how much can be achieved through human kindness and the curative power of surfing.

The film introduces Australian couple Pam and Alan Skuse, who went to Mexico in 2000 to volunteer for 12 months and ended up setting up their own orphanage. The Skuses’ original placement ended up closing 6 months after their arrival, and faced with the rehousing of the 7 children in their care, they decided to stay on and Misión México was born.

This refuge in Tapachula, Chiapas now homes 54 children and young adults all coming from troubled backgrounds. Tapachula is close to the Guatemalan border and is a gateway for drugs and people-smuggling from Central and South America. The documentary offers us some of the older children’s stories which they share with stark and moving honesty.

The documentary doesn’t shy away from the trials of running such a large refuge, illustrating how resilient and loving Pam and Alan are. This also highlights the long-term impacts of abuse, showing that there is no quick fix for Misión México’s residents.

The fact that the organisation is Christian is never hidden, nor is it overtly signposted and for the majority of the film this is fine, but I did find ‘The Retreat’, a program for the more troubled teenagers worrying. As a viewer, I would have preferred to know what was involved in the process, as opposed to simply seeing a runaway go in as a problem teen and exit reformed.

The young Aussie filmmakers also use Somewhere Near Tapachula to revel in the joy of surfing, an activity the orphanage does together on weekends. Every Saturday and Sunday van-loads of children are ferried to the beach where everyone seems to partake at some level or another. Here the children seem truly happy and relaxed, being able to feel accomplishment in an activity as well as zone-out from their day-to-day worries.

Durrant and Hunt have made a compelling and visually attractive documentary, utilising the fantastic colour contrasts found in Tapachula’s palette whilst filming. They have sensibly kept themselves out of the frame, and left the couple and the children centre stage. The story doesn’t require over-stylized graphics and shots and is most effecting when the children’s stories and dreams are being told straight to you, down the camera.

Somewhere Near Tapachula is currently touring around Australia, click here for ticket and program information.

100% of profits raised from the film, tour, DVDs, merchandise, donations will go to Misión México.

Related post: Interview: Somewhere New Tapachula

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