Valparaíso, Chile. A swath of trees sway in the distance with the passing wind as smoke billows and hovers over the trees — then the smoke quickly turns a shade of orange. In one immediate moment, wildfires erupt around the trees, quickly and aggressively escalating the precarious condition in the Chilean wilderness. 

These are the challenges and dangerous circumstances that the volunteer fire brigade in the port city of Valparaíso frequently find themselves in. They’re aided in these struggles by a French fire brigade that arrives in Valparaíso to train — and instill methodology to — their Chilean counterparts. A warm and hospitable camaraderie is fostered between the Chilean and French firefighters as the country’s leaders and citizenry brace for the drafting of a new Constitution to repudiate the remnants of the pro-Pinochet dictatorship. Soon, civil unrest erupts on the streets, and, in parallel fashion, the wildfires quickly escalate around the city, disastrously impacting rural communities and neighborhoods. The brigades’ unified collective action must be implemented to effectively combat the ferocious flames. 

Nicolás Molina’s Pirópolis is a visually-stunning masterwork. With an impressive visual language and a patient observational approach to capturing these volatile circumstances, the film potently foregrounds the power of community — as well as the unpredictable nature of our climate crisis.––Jose Rodriguez

Nicolás Molina