In 1994 a 13-year-old boy from San Antonio, Texas vanishes without a trace, only to be discovered three years later on the other side of the world in southern Spain with a tragic tale of kidnapping and violence.
The overjoyed family welcomes him home with open arms and is quick to help him reintegrate into everyday life. However something is not right, his appearance, accent and his story start to beg questions. People outside of the family begin to become suspicious and a deeply thrilling story begins to unravel in front of our eyes.
This film is a Rashomon-like tale that examines the very nature of the truth and how it truly can be held purely in the eyes of the beholder; people do see what they want. The film is made up of interviews with those involved intercut with recreations of the events as described by the different sides. Dramatizations or recreations are often frowned upon in documentary films, however when you have a story that involves so many conflicting points of view this device allows the audience to decide on the truth rather than being led to it.
The Imposter is probably one of the most unique and interesting stories being shared at this year’s Hot Docs film fest yet the less you know of the story, going in, the better. Even when you walk out of the theatre you’re not sure what to think and in many ways aren't sure what you have just seen.
The Imposter
Director: Bart Layton
Producer: Dimitri Doganis
http://www.hotdocs.ca/film/title/imposter
