• Medusa

    Directed by Anita Rocha da Silveira
    Brazil/USA | 127 minutes | Cine Latino

Fanatically religious Mariana leads a masked street gang that attacks any woman she deems promiscuous. But as her church grows increasingly authoritarian and Mariana secretly indulges her desires, her long-suppressed rage explodes.

In competition for the Ibero-American Award.

film synopsis

By day, beautiful, pious nurse Mariana lives a pristine life as God’s devout servant, backing up her equally faithful best friend Michele in their church’s singing group, The Treasures of the Lord. But by night, Mariana and Michele lead an eerily masked, violent street mob, viciously attacking any woman they believe to be promiscuous – and not letting up until their victim accepts Jesus. But when Mariana is disfigured during an attack, she finds her social circle has little use for imperfection. When she takes a job at a dingy hospital, Mariana soon gets a taste of the secular world, exploring her sexuality and questioning her once-unshakeable faith. As intrusive thoughts take over and her church grows increasingly authoritarian, Mariana’s long-suppressed rage explodes, leading to a violent confrontation with the strictures of religion in this sleek, neon-hued thriller.

film details

Director: Anita Rocha da Silveira
Producers: Mayra Auad, Vânia Catani
Screenwriter: Anita Rocha da Silveira
Cinematographers: João Atala
Editor: Marilia Moraes
Music: Bernardo Uzeda
Cast: Mari Oliveira, Lara Tremouroux, Joana Medeiros, Felipe Frazão, Thiago Fragoso, Bruna G, Bruna Linzmeyer
Country: Brazil/USA
Language: In Portuguese with English subtitles.
Year: 2021
Running Time: 127 minutes
Director Filmography: Kill Me Please (2015)
Awards: Noves Visions - Best Direction, Sitges; Premio Maguey - Best Performance, Guadalajara International Film Festival
Primary Company: Music Box Films
Contact Email: kwestphal@musicboxfilms.com

Film Festival 2022