Fest Track On Sirk TV Film Review: THE SETTLERS [AFI Fest 2023 - Los Angeles, California - Remote]

The aspect of colonization and land rights continues to be a big perception in the market (as well as the violence that comes with it). As "Killers Of The Flower Moon" showed in terms of the Osage nation, "The Settlers" [Special Presentation/Discovery], Chile's official entry for The Oscars this year, is also a bleak and yet strangely beautiful film (and, in many ways, more effective than "Moon" because there is no expectation attached to the characters). The geography and topography shown in the film is exemplary and yet oppressive at the same time. Most of the film follows 3 men send to ascertain (and judge it seems) the lands owned by Don Jose Menendez, their employer along the border of Chile and Argentina (where many natives lived -- this is set in the late 1800s). The men are led by Lt. McClennan (Mark Stanley) who has his own grudge to bear, hardened by war but likely dark in his heart anyway. The brutality, hidden rage and also barely disgused moments of dirt tinged reflection are inherent in showing this context of brutality.

It works in certain ways in reverse down the line and it is interesting to see what actually breaks him. The structural context of the movie towards the end works but is distinctly unconventional at certain parts because it talks rather than shows (which would have been interesting as well). The second man of the three is Bill (Benjamin Westfall),a Texas mercenary who understands the job but isn't quite sure at times of what the right road is, though his eventual fate does not matter in the sense of his conscience. "The Settlers" is very good at showing this while having an unwavering eye in its condemnation or nihilism of all involved. Everyone (and I mean everyone) does everything for their own reasons right or wrong. The final of the three is the perception of the audience in Segundo (Camilo Arancibia), a tracker that is both of the area and not. That is why the eventuality with him and another makes the film both intensive and reflective. The movie doesn't ask you to judge (that is inherent already) but it does show what the survivors feel (despite what they think their right is). "The Settlers" is both engaging and visually stunning with characters complex and brutal that are simply on their own path. A-

By Tim Wassberg