Suely in the Sky

The position of women would appear to be the major theme of Brazilian cinema these days. After his successful debut Madame Sata (2002), Karim Aïnouz points the camera at Hermila Guedes, who has previously been seen in Cinema, Aspirin and Vultures and Bog of Beasts. Portrayed with control and dynamism by the ubiquitous, unsurpassed Walter Carvalho, the vivacious and wayward heroine Hermila (aka Suely) bursts on to the screen.
When life in cosmopolitan São Paulo gets too expensive for her, the beautiful 21-year-old Hermila returns with her young child to her poor birthplace in northeastern Brazil, under the assumption that her husband will soon follow. When he doesn’t turn up after a long wait, she has to adjust her pink-coloured view of reality. But Hermila’s lust for life, courage and mood swings know no bounds. Even though she seems able to count on warmth and love in her birthplace, unknown happiness lures her away to other climes. Determined to make more of her life than her best friend, the prostitute Georgina, she thinks of a way to escape country life. Under the name Suely she organises a lottery in which the winner can spend the night with her. Among the contestants is her old flame João… (GT)

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