CALIFORNIA ****
It is certainly a golden era for Brazilian Cinema around the world, as new directors continue to get praises and recognitions for their respectful contemporary cinematic visions. Loosely autobiographical, director Marina Person’s fiction debut is an exhilarating love letter to youth and all the experiences we’re entitled to live, especially love. The film is narrated as an open recorded diary by young Estela, who is dreaming of her trip to California to meet up with her uncle, and while she prepares for the trip, she’s actually preparing herself for adulthood with the events rushing her puberty and adolescence. Estela falls deeply for a surfer boy, but is also fond of a new eccentric boy, whose stylish punk-rock attitude is both appreciated and despised in school. Set in the euphoric early 1980’s to an irresistibly nostalgic dancing soundtrack that includes classic international rock such as The Cure and Brazilian pop hits, Marina Person proves an authentic sensibility with extreme control of the premature emotions on screen, as she undresses her young protagonist and her reactions to all sorts of sentiments along that decisive school year: the growing and hormones process, the first awareness of love, the common fear of what the future holds and modern issues such as the infestation of HIV, the disappointments, unsolved familiar matters, the ambitions and aspirations. With an incredibly talented young cast, a charismatic and thoughtful narrative and the enthusiastic blend of coming-of-age, family and social prejudice and cultural clashes, the film is a victory in many aspects, but above all, its most important attribute, is the ability of revive that speed in the heart we only feel once in a lifetime- the unequalable symptom of first love. (Playing as an Official Selection at Tribeca Film Festival 2016)
THE TENTH MAN ****
Argentinian director Daniel Burman’s intoxicating comedy is probably one of the most original South American films in years. A man goes back to his native Buenos Aires to meet his orthodox Jewish father and run him some errands. As he crosses the city, completing his father’s assignments, and contemplating memories of childhood (told with images in Super-8) the film paints a portrait of a society seeking for healing and hope, using the structure of an allegoric social-political and moral satire. Emerging director Burman reveals his craftsman’s skills as he infuses metaphorical references to scarcity- food, health, compassion, honesty and fraternal love. Ironically touching and provocative (“it is kosher blood!” says the butcher, defending his business) it’s a man’s tumultuous journey back home shaped with aspects of some great Biblical leaders (our hero could possibly descend from Moses or David), making it an accurate analysis on family values. (Playing as an Official Selection at the 15th Tribeca Film Festival)
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