Antonia

In Vila Brasilândia, a suburb of São Paulo, four girls who work as background vocalists start their own rap group, Antonia. They hope to build up an independent existence with their music.
It briefly looks as if circumstances will help them. Then the rough reality of the seamy side of Brazilian life takes over again. Poverty, violence and machismo make sure the four girls not only see their co-operation but also their friendship go up in smoke. Yet Antonia is not a film about vulnerable women who lose out in a harsh society. On the contrary, the girls turn out to have so much assertiveness and perseverance that they can start afresh.
The four protagonists are convincingly played by the Brazilian R&B/hip-hop stars Negra Li, Leilah Moreno, Quelynah and MC Cindy, who in fact play themselves in a story about their own lives in Antonia. The director spent three years on preparations and in this way acquired the cooperation of local artists and musicians. As a result, the film looks natural and the camerawork hardly needs to emphasise the authenticity of the lively and poor slums.