By 
By Roger Costa
BLOCK
An immersive experience depicting the financial and emotional troubles affecting Brazilian truck drivers, first-time Directors Victória Álvares and Quentin Delaroche’s documentary is a historical work that will resonate for decades to come the determination of a nation for democracy. As they exclusively mingle among a gigantic strike, possibly blocking a state road, the directors capture moments of desperation, chaos, tension and confronts, as well as loneliness, home sickness and insecurity, conceiving an important and striking eye-witness chapter of the recent tumultuous Presidential elections. As the drivers fight for reduced taxes and dignity, the film presents the first steps into a politically divided country, furiously wishing for a clean Government, even if they have to accept a risky Military intervention. A strong portrait of faith, determination and hope for the future. (Screens 2/8).
TREMOR IÊ
Blending Avant-Garde, psychedelic art and music, reality and futurism, directors Elena Meirelles and Livia de Paiva deeply addresses police brutality against women in Northeast Brazil through the connected stories of a group of female street musicians. Facing obstacles, prejudice and violence as consequences of their willingness for freedom, sexual choices, race and nightly life-style, this seductive futuristic tale is structured with inventive techniques, demonstrating the pair’s distinguished, stylish talent. The narrative centers on two lovers exposing their traumas and experiences, while battling a dictatorial political regime and observing the poverty and lack of opportunity among them. A truthful, timely, radical and courageous political statement with focus on women’s rights. (Screens 2/9).
SHORT FILMS
Lyricism, mysticism, childhood innocence, Nature and human instincts are the themes revolving around the beautifully shot, enigmatic “Mangrove”(pic.). Directed by Amaranta Cesar, it depicts the relationship between a struggling African Quilombo-descendant mother and her young daughters, who escape school to go play and hunt crabs at the mangroves. In Juliana Rojas’ provocative “The Passage of the Comet” a doctor runs a clandestine abortion clinic, frequently visited by desperate young women seeking to overcome the situation; The actresses are extremely convincing and precisely dramatic, creating a hypnotizing, haunting atmosphere. An inclusive and highly emotional doc, Cris Lyra’s “Quebramar” is a truthful portrait of gay teen love and quest for identity, as a group of Lesbian friends enjoy a vacation while shaping their characters with spirituality, friendship and activism.
(Visions of Resistance: Recent Films by Brazilian Women Directors runs February 8-9/2020 at Museum of the Moving Image in NYC. Organized by film critic Ela Bittencourt, and Co-presented by Cinema Tropical. Go to http://www.movingimage.us/programs/2020/02/08/detail/visions-of-resistance-recent-films-by-brazilian-women-directors/ for schedule and tickets.)
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