An x-ray of a middle-class district in Recife: in the street where a rich family owns lots of real estate, life takes an unexpected turn when a private security outfit offers its services to the residents. The presence of guards gives them a feeling of security, but also adds a large dose of anxiety in a society that flourishes on fear. Meanwhile Bia, the mother of two children, tries to find a way to deal with the barking of the guard dogs that gives her sleepless nights.
Neighbouring Sounds is a piece of contemporary Braziliana that effortlessly offers new insights into an apparently normal socio-economic network. A gripping, ominous debut by Kleber Mendonça Filho, cinephile jack-of-all-trades – filmmaker, festival organiser, critic and producer – from Recife in Brazil expanded on a theme from his short film Eletrodoméstica. Deserving of special mention: the excellent acting across the whole cast and the way in which the urban space and interior design play a leading role.
Film details
Country of production
Brazil
Year
2012
Festival edition
IFFR 2012
Length
124'
Medium/Format
DCP
Language
Portuguese
Premiere status
World premiere
Director
Kleber Mendonça Filho
Producer
Emilie Lesclaux
Screenplay
Kleber Mendonça Filho
Cinematography
Pedro Sotero, Fabricio Tadeu
Editing
Kleber Mendonça Filho, João Maria
Production design
Juliano Dornelles
Sound design
Pablo Lamar, Kleber Mendonça Filho
Principal cast
Irandhir Santos, Albert Tenorio, Maeve Jinkings, Gustavo Jahn