Clara, 65, lives her life to the fullest with her family and friends. A construction company wants her Recife oceanfront condo, as they've already bought all the other in the 3 story buildin... Read allClara, 65, lives her life to the fullest with her family and friends. A construction company wants her Recife oceanfront condo, as they've already bought all the other in the 3 story building. Clara's staying.Clara, 65, lives her life to the fullest with her family and friends. A construction company wants her Recife oceanfront condo, as they've already bought all the other in the 3 story building. Clara's staying.
- Awards
- 46 wins & 48 nominations
- Fátima
- (as Paula de Renor)
- Director
- Writer
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe film sparked controversy after it received an 18+ rating from Brazil's Ministry of Justice for "explicit sex" and "drugs" - which restricts the film's audiences to people over 18 only. Some thought that the rating was not based solely on the film's contents and viewed it as a sabotage and foul play by the government against the film in an attempt to damage its commercial prospects in retaliation for the film's Cannes protest. On appeal, the film was re-rated to 16+.
- GoofsWhen Clara, who is annoyed by the noise from a party in the apartment above, decides to listen to a vinyl record, she picks up Queen's 1978 album "Jazz" and plays the second track, "Fat Bottomed Girls". But what is played is the shorter version of the song (released only as a single in 1978 and on the 1981 compilation "Greatest Hits") instead of the longer version from the album that is clearly shown spinning on the turntable.
- Quotes
Clara: It's impressive what people say about lack of education, and they always refer to poor people, but lack of manners isn't in poor people, it's in rich, well educated people like you, the elite, who think they are elite, who think they are privileged, who don't stand in line, you know? People like you who took a "business" course, but lack basic human decency, who have no character, you know? No character, no I mean, you do have a character; your character is money, all you've got is your shit-eating smile; that's what you got.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Pictures of Ghosts (2023)
From IMDb synopsis, Clara, a 65-year-old upper-middle class mother of 3 children, refuses to sell her apartment, the last still occupied, to a big real estate company, built in the upper class, seaside Boa Viagem Avenue, Recife. Pledging to only leave her place upon her death, her building is probably the last remnant of a not so long ago past. Facing this conflict ahead mostly by herself, she will reflect upon her past and future and give her new strength.
Although the story can seem to be a bit clichéd, the movie excels in representing a middle-aged woman in an unique and independent way, something rarely seen in movies, where usually these characters are simply secondary, caricatures. There will be no big reveals and big turns, it is a mostly linear story (quite different from Kleber Mendonça Filho last movie, "O Som ao Redor", also critically acclaimed). But the way the director tells the story is what is so great. With a technique so sharp, he creates tension throughout the whole movie in ordinary situations (his trademark, an influence from John Carpenter), like in the scene where Clara and the real estate manager are simply maneuvering cars in the building's garage. This tension is what carries the whole movie, until the powerful ending.
In addition, the greater part of the movie has no actual direct connection to the its apparent central plot. Clara attending parties, talking to the lifesaver, walking with her nephew, having family meeting is what fleshes out her character, telling so much about her personality and her past indirectly, and this is the film's greatest strength. The moment she has with her 3 kids is maybe one of the greatest scenes in Brazilian cinema.
Forget all the political ideology. Watch it for what this movie really is, a powerful, fantastic piece of art.
- marcosleekim-955-164864
- Sep 1, 2016
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Details
- Release date
- Countries of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Водолій
- Filming locations
- 560 Avenida Boa Viagem, Pina, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil(Aquarius building)
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- R$2,500,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $285,930
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $29,129
- Oct 16, 2016
- Gross worldwide
- $3,085,977
- Runtime2 hours 26 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 2.35 : 1
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