A shy, withdrawn, slip of a girl, 13-year-old Irene (newcomer Priscila Bittencourt in an assured performance) finds herself invisible to the world around her. Ignored by boys and glossed over by her family in favor of her beautiful older sister Solange, the introverted teen’s only comfort is the stories told by the family’s earthy housekeeper Madalena. But when Irene discovers her charismatic father’s secret life, she quietly steps into a new life herself, befriending another young Irene, discovering her sexuality and slowly coming into her own in this sly and engrossing coming-of-age drama.

Writer/director Fabio Meira has crafted an observant and beguiling debut feature, rich with detail and unexpected turns. At once a visually stunning paean to the struggles of growing up and an evocative study of the eternal dance between men and women, Two Irenes establishes Meira as a major new voice in international cinema.

In competition for the Cine Latino Award.