THE FIRST DEATH OF JOANA / A PRIMEIRA MORTE DE JOANA
South Brazil in the summer. Thirteen-year-old Joana bids a beloved relative farewell. Her first experience of sadness is accompanied by an unanswered enigma: is it true that “aunt Rosa” died without ever having been with a man? Along with her best friend, Joana embarks on an investigation into Rosa’s past, realising that, like her, all the women in her family harbour a secret. A brilliant coming-of-age film, which touches on various aspects of the psychological makeup of teenagers through the life and secrets of others, through loss and friendship, exalting sexuality which is always unexpectedly awakened.
BRAZIL | 2021 | COLOR | DCP | 94’ | PORTUGUESE, GERMAN
South Brazil, summer of 2007. 13 year-old Joana, a Brazilian of German origin bids farewell to her beloved aunt, her grandma’s sister. This first grief is accompanied with an unanswered question: is it true that ‘aunt Rosa’ died a virgin? As Joana explores the mystery of another life, her relationship with her best friend becomes complicated due to rumours at school colliding with the conservative small-town mentality.
A wonderful, smooth coming-of-age film, dealing with the teenage psychology through the lives and secrets of others, loss, school, sexuality that announces itself exquisitely in a dreamy magic realism scene, the artistic inclination, the results of immigration, religion, as well as the coexistence of races in the hinterland. Subtle, aware, and bright cinema. I.D.
DIRECTOR: Cristiane Oliveira
SCREENWRITER: Cristiane Oliveira
DoP: Bruno Polidoro
MUSIC: Arthur de Faria, Gustavo Breier
EDITOR: Tula Anagnostopoulos
PRINCIPAL CAST: Letícia Kacperski, Isabela Bressane, Joana Vieira, Lisa Gertum Becker, Emílio Speck, Pedro Nambuco, Rosa Campos Velho, Graciale Caputti
CRISTIANE OLIVEIRA
Brazilian director, screenwriter and producer. This is her second feature film.
FILMOGRAPHY
2021 The First Death of Joana
2016 Nalu on the Border