Objectivity What a surprise, what a surprise !I thought this was going to be a financial thriller and ended up watching one of the best films in my lifetime.Anyone who has lived in a developing country will experience a rollercoaster of emotions on seeing this film as the story could apply to absolutely any developing country. And what a story. Ten minutes into the film and I started saying "What a fantastic film - who made this film ?", and I carried on saying that at regular intervals throughout the film. This film has so many layers that if you understand everything it is trying to portray you simply want to meet the Writer/Director. For the Writer/Director to hail from New York and yet understand all the subtelties, consequences, and tragedies of life for the common person in a developing country demonstrates a unique capacity for observation and, critically, empathy.This is a cinematically beautiful, sad, brutally accurate, tense, but also uplifting film, all at the same time. This film should have been taken to Cannes and it would have won the top prize - someone missed a marketing trick there.Still - easily one of the best films I have ever seen. Watch it - you won't regret it.

Levi Saulnier The Debt features riveting talent all across the board. Blade's Stephen Dorff and The Bourne Ultimatum's David Strathairn shine as the bankers who attempt to acquire land from a Peruvian family. Barney Elliott has managed to put together a moving cast that portrays the suspenseful story; with a special mention for Elsa Olivero who gives a heartbreaking performance as a nurse who tries desperately to care for her sick mother. The narrative is topical as it involves three separate stories that intertwine because of a deal to buy some land in Peru by New York financiers. In my opinion, newcomer Barney Elliott showcases great direction and writing as presented by a surprising turn the film makes, which caught me off guard. Furthermore, the film is shot beautifully as Peru is such a vibrant setting. It's great to see an independent movie that utilizes every frame from start to finish and kept me on edge. I recommend that any film lover see this feature.

subxerogravity I like watching movies about other cultures other than my own.The structure of The Debt told a human very story as they say:A nurse desperate to find a way to get her sick mother the surgery she needs.A small boy learning the hard way how to take care of his father's land.A man born in Peru and educated in America trying to balance business with doing the right thing for his people.http://cinemagardens.com/index.php/2016/07/11/the-debtIt's down to Earth sub plots like this that make the movie pop out and come together so well.I really loved the back drop of Peru. it's a beautiful country, and the sound of the wind blowing into the boom mic actually made me feel like I was there.The Debt has a lot of layers to it because of all the sub stories and lead to one huge plot about an international fiancé deal going south and Stephen Dorff's character, Oliver's attempts to fix it, but it never gets too complex that you can't follow, even with the subtitles.Very low key movie does not hold back the emotional and political drama it is.

onthejuice In this story the common conceptions of the international free trade system are confronted. The film brings together the lives of various parties and focuses upon the fate of one boy.Individuals can be understood as separate and distant from each other. Yet in this depiction, the interdependence of individuals, of their actions, within the global economic system is brought into question.The film attempts to bring light upon and question the issues of independence, of the seemingly autonomous existence capitalism promotes and depicts the interconnected nature of dealings across the international economy, ultimately bringing the various parties together to confront the realities of the decisions they make.The writer/director does not attempt to go into the philosophy of film, nor do they give bourgeois depictions of meaning to life, but faces the realities of the system in which we live. It's not happy go lucky, the film is not an objection to capitalism nor does it try to be a sermon of the misfortunes of the poor and the evil natures of the rich, but presents a perspective of the responsibilities and realities we face in the economically focused lifestyles which we are a part of.In the same vain as 'blood diamond' and 'promised land'.