Surrounded by Peru, Colombia and the Pacific Ocean, Ecuador is a country between heaven and earth, running along the Andes and the Amazon, all the way to the Galápagos Islands. This is a journey from the depths of the sea to the highest mountain peaks and endless regions of the country; through nature and its people. Almost no other place on earth offers as much diversity as this South American country along the Equator. In addition to its cultural and natural resources, it is the joys and passions of its people that are captured by this documentary. Pura Vida offers breathtaking views of flora and fauna, the abundance of life, dreams and adventures, of amazement and reflection.

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Pura Vida (which refers to a popular Latin/South American phrase expressing that all is well and life is good) is visually stunning: from the lush, colorful jungle to remote peaks lost in the mist; from tropical waters to snow-topped mountains, this documentary by Severin Frei offers an astonishing panorama of a country that is mysterious to most Europeans. Through interviews with inhabitants and a close look at local customs and traditions, Frei shows admiration and real respect for the country, offering more than just a postcard from abroad. Still, the documentary’s look is more TV than cinema, with a superficial approach and awkward editing.