This short film was inspired by letters written by Brazilian mothers to their children killed by the police. In a hybrid approach, Rio native Felipe Casanova transposes these all-too-common stories onto a fictional character played with stunning sincerity by Ilma Sotero De Deus, a street vendor during Rio Carnival. The dynamic and complicit camera, with its grainy image, plunges us into a physical immersion of Carnival, while a mother addresses her son Lucas in a voice-over. The feverish, festive atmosphere contrasts with the sad reality of daily life. Various archives then provide a historical perspective on this police violence, a part of a genocide perpetrated against the country's Black population. This touching, boldly edited film avoids sensationalism while exuding a powerful political force and calling for justice. (HSB)
North American Premiere
competition : International Short and Medium-Length Competition
Rio Remains Beautiful
- Country : Belgium, Switzerland, Brazil
- Year : 2025
- V.O : Portuguese
- Subtitles : English
- Duration : 23 MIN
- Cinematography : Felipe Casanova
- Editing : Maxime Jean-Baptiste
- Production : Felipe Casanova
- Production : Louis Petit
- Production : Youri Brogniez
- Sound Design : Simon Jamart
- Sound Design : Aïda Merghoub
Cruising Pictures
Felipe Casanova
Réalisateur, Producteur, Chef opérateur
Loveboard (2023)
Locarno Film Festival (Winner of Best Swiss Short Film) | São Paulo International Short Film Festival – Curta Kinoforum
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