THE FRONTIER
2015,
Kino Lorber,
88 min,
USA,
Dir: Oren Shai
Oren Shai’s feature directorial debut is a pulpy neo-noir with echoes of classic Westerns, starting with the film’s Arizona desert setting. It’s there that femme fatale Laine (Jocelin Donahue) has fled, taking refuge at a place called The Frontier, run by world-weary Luanne (a terrific Kelly Lynch). But Laine soon learns that the seemingly quiet motel is a hideout for thieves who’ve just stolen $2 million - and devises her own plan to take it from them. Shooting on Super 16mm, cinematographer Jay Keitel gives a shadowy, textured and wonderfully lush look to this tale of desperation and double-crosses.