Director: Tata Amaral
Writers: Roberto Moreira, Tata Amaral
Actors: Negra Li, Leilah Moreno, Cindy Mendes, Quelynah
Production Co.: Tangerina Entretenimento, 02 Filmes, Globo Filmes, PlayArte
Country: Brazil
Year: 2006
Language: In Portuguese; with English, Portuguese or Spanish subtitles.
Format: DVD
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Summary: A soulful look into the lives of four women living on the outskirts of São Paulo, Brazil. Determined to escape their poverty-stricken lives, they learn that out of struggle comes strength and the courage to continue on.
This film centers around four friends from the favelas who decide to form an all female rap group. The movie traces their careers and their complicated lives and their difficulties infiltrating a male-dominated space, while speaking of love, friendship, and the importance of family, among other things. Life can be hard but beautiful at the same time, and in the end, deserving people will be victorious. This is by far one of my favorite Brazilian films because it is narrated beautifully and the story is so powerful. This story doesn’t have a cookie-cutter ending and encapsulates so much about Brazilian society, in addition to love, heartbreak, and injustice within the confines of a movie. Another facet of the movie that renders it so powerful is the music, which guides the storyline. Although certain scenes are difficult to watch, it is a worthy investment of time.
This film illustrates a successful group of women, who become famous singers despite numerous setbacks. The inspirational musical numbers scream the different issues the group constantly encounters on the road to fame. The songs center on overcoming the struggles of life as a woman in the lower class of Brazil, along with the drama that encumbers the group throughout the film, make this movie very enjoyable and entertaining.
This film shows the challenges encountered by women living in the poor communities of Brazil. The film follows the journey of a group of ambitious women coming from the favelas attempting to be successful singers. As they encounter challenges with hyper-masculinity, corruption, and racism, their journey towards success becomes difficult. It is entertaining to watch how their unity is glued by the powerful lyrics in their music and how it becomes tested by difficulties found in Brazilian society. It does a great job capturing the realities of poverty in Brazil and its role of turning dreams almost to impossible.
Antônia follows four young, working class women as their dreams slowly approach reality. Initially working as backup singers, these four women decide to make a name for themselves by becoming an all-female rap group. Though met with initial success, the group slowly deteriorates, for reasons all common to members of the working class. Along with being musically entertaining and dramatic in theme, this film addresses such topics as gender rights, and poverty in Brazil.
In a review in The New York Times (http://movies.nytimes.com/2007/09/21/movies/21anto.html), Jeannette Catsoulis comments, “[Antônia] has an earthy realism underscored by naturalistic performances and a restless camera.” She also mentions the film’s sensitive and energetic exploration of “cultural and sexual oppression.” I agree with Catsoulis when she critiques the film for its “lack of complexity” and want to add the film is also lacking in effective transitions. Even though the film has its faults, what it lacks in developed style, it makes up for with individuality, integrity, and an incredibly appropriate and poignant soundtrack. I especially liked the performance of “Killing Me Softly.” Amaral presents the violence, sexism, and poverty that the female protagonists face with a respectable and unapologetic sincerity.
This film shows the realities of four beautiful women who try to enter the world of rap in their communities. Preta, Bárbarah, Mayah, and Lena confront various problems regarding machismo and poverty while on their quest to gain recognition. Despite these problems, they always maintain a contagious optimism that forces the spectator to smile. I would recommend this film to anyone looking for a film on triumph among Brazil’s communities.