Ultra-rich vs. poverty stricken, white vs. black: these contradictions – a result of slavery’s long history – tear Brazilian society apart to this day. Directors Sérgio Oliveira and Renata Pinheiro, who also wrote the script, show this through the fortunes of a female member of the rich elite using hallucinatory, almost magic-realist dream sequences.
Full of nostalgia, wealthy Bethania Wanderley (Maeve Jinkings) returns to her family estate and former sugar plantation. A conflict awaits her: having taken over the land, the former plantation workers also want the sugar cane mill, to turn it into a slavery museum. Wanderley refuses to relinquish the family property and continues her almost colonial lifestyle. This brings her into direct conflict with workers’ leader Zé, but also with her own past and deep-seated prejudices.
Film details
Productieland
Brazil
Jaar
2017
Festivaleditie
IFFR 2018
Lengte
90'
Medium/Formaat
DCP
Taal
Portuguese
Première status
International premiere
Director
Sérgio Oliveira, Renata Pinheiro
Producer
Sérgio Oliveira, Letícia Friedrich, Juca Worcman, João Worcman
Screenplay
Sérgio Oliveira, Renata Pinheiro
Cinematography
Fernando Lockett
Production design
Tiago Melo
Music
Guile Martins, Julia Zakia
Principal cast
Maeve Jinkings, Magali Biff, Zé Maria, Dandara de Morais
Production company
Aroma Filmes, Boulevard Filmes, Canal Brasil, Synapse