‘Rosa is a powerful, complex character.‘
‘Bodanzky succeeds in conveying universal feelings beautifully.’
Brazil, Sao Paulo. Rosa (Maria Ribeiro) is preoccupied with her family’s wishes. And often forgets to think about herself. She has put her career as a playwright on the back burner. As the child of idealistic parents and the mother of two young girls, she is caught between the expectations of two generations. Her husband’s work often takes him away from home and he is focused on his career. When Rosa’s mother surprises her with a shocking piece of news, she decides it is time to take back control of her own life…
Running through the film like a leitmotif are references to Henrik Ibsen’s play ‘A Doll’s House’ written in 1880. At the end of the play Nora leaves her husband with the words, “I must try and educate myself.” Rosa feels like a modern-day Nora, trapped between ageing 60s hippies and young hipsters.
With Just Like Our Parents the Brazilian film maker Laís Bodanzky paints a sensitive, familiar and realistic family portrait. At the Paris Brazilian Film Festival 2017 the film won the Audience Award for Best Film.