By Roger Costa
MALU
Anchored by a towering and hypnotic performance by Yara de Novaes in the title role, this efficient, poignant and tragic drama directed by Pedro Freire presents one of the most turbulent and shocking mother-daughter relationships ever depicted in cinema. The impact is so profound one can feel it crawling over the skin. In fact, the show belongs to three different women, playing each one a generational branch. While Novaes is the central force here, Juliana Carneiro da Cunha who plays her mother, and star-in-the-making Carol Duarte (“Invisible Life”, “La Chimera”) in the role of her estranged daughter elevate the tension in the narrative, giving their best and delivering unforgettably raw roles. You’ll hardly forget what goes on between these three women, when they confront each other representing traumatic elements and behavior disorders accordingly to their generations.
Unable to find a role decent enough for her to play, Malu moves away from the-lights, confining herself at a beachside slum, where she shares a property with strangers and bohemians alike. Her mother lives with her, but things get out of control when Malu’s daughter comes to visit after spending a couple of years in Europe. She is also an actress and is trying to convince her mother they all should live together in Sao Paulo where they can hopefully find some acting opportunity. But Malu is interested in creating a cultural center aiming to inspire local artists and launch their careers. Her mother is opposed to everything she plans, including her lifestyle choices. At one horrifying moment, her conservative mother invites a priest over just to try to change Malu’s perspective, only to have the priest running away after being confronted about his faith and beliefs. The scene is shocking, and right there you can feel exactly where this is going: an intense, profoundly aching multi-character female study about family bond and the loss of it. There is not much to say beyond this, because the viewer must be graced with the plot twists, subtly exposed when secrets and unsolved matters from the past come to surface.
Inspired by the true story of his mother, first-time filmmaker Paulo Freire who won major prizes at this year’s Grande Otelo Awards (including Best First Director and Screenplay) leaves an impressive mark with this material. It is one of the most explosive, courageous and confident debuts of the year.
(Screens September 10th at 7pm)
A WOLF AMONG THE SWANS
Based on the real life of internationally renowned carioca ballet dancer Thiago Soares, this vibrant and entertaining biopic directed by duo Marcos Schechtman and Helena Varvaki offers an important look at economic struggle, identity and the sacrificial methods of accomplishments. While precisely depicting the authenticity of this young dancer, who came from street dance influences to become one of the world’s leading ballet dancers, the film is encapsulated by a sense of encouragement which easily translates to how efficiently it plays as a statement on the transformational impact of art.
Thiago (a charming but unstable Matheus Abreu) is given an opportunity to learn how to tame and improve his dancing skills, but he must control his temper and ego. His tutor Dino (played by the great and always remarkable Dario Grandinetti), who maintains a busy nightlife at gay saunas after completing his lessons, is the one assigned to “exorcize” Thiago and bring the best out of him. The young and tempestuous dancer struggles to accept his new dancing role, the homosexual stigma attached to it and how to fit in among the others representing the privileged, which also reflects on how he lives under very poor circumstances with his aunt.
An accurate and touching examination on youth aspirations challenged by economics and societal standards, the film’s only mistake is how it treats the fact its protagonist is heterosexual, breaking the rumors that all male ballet dancers are gay. It becomes a little repetitive, as the dancer indeed clarifies his sexual identity, with the same dialog appearing in at least three different scenes. Perhaps the directors wanted to validate his personality and perspective- at least back then.
However, this small flaw won’t affect its importance and quality: the film is highly entertaining, sexy and convincing. The result is actually a triumphant and human story about believing and belonging, and never giving in the challenges.
(Screens September 12 at 9pm)
CANCER WITH VIRGO RISING
A prominent and influential force in Brazilian TV and cinema, US-born Brazilian-based director Rosane Svartman turns the traumatic experience of living with cancer into an uplifting and hysterically funny comedy.
Suzana Pires leads a fantastic, female-driven cast, as the protagonist Clara, a math teacher navigating loneliness, self-esteem and assurance, a teenage daughter (an impressive Nathalia Costa) and a mystical mother (played with grace and adorable silliness by veteran Marieta Severo, one of Brazil’s finest performers). Her life turns upside down when she’s diagnosed with breast cancer, but she decides to accept the challenge and firmly fights the illness, seeing every step, including the painful and emotionally exhausting medical procedures through an irresistibly sharp sense of humor.
She finds support amongst the incredible women surrounding her, as well as dancing and singing which provide her soothing. That’s how art impacts her treatment.
Looking at a major health crisis through comedic style, Svartman pays an emotional and optimistic homage to her friend Clelia Bessa, a filmmaker and producer who defied and battled the cancer diagnosis in which the film is inspired by. She also delivers an enthusiastic, colorful and well spirited reflection on the power of womanhood and the role of resilience. It’s fun time with serious commitment.
(Screens September 12th at 7pm)
(The 29th Inffinito Brazilian Film Festival runs through September 13th featuring in-person screenings in Miami and also available for online viewing through their website. Visit https://brazilianfilmfestival.com/miami for details).
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