English summary

‘Challenging, sparkling film’

‘Few filmmakers know how to portray humanity and alienation so understatedly in every shot.’

The 65-year-old widow Clara (Sonia Braga) has lived most of her life in a beautiful beachside apartment in Recife. She still swims in the sea every morning. This is the home where she has raised her children. She has many cherished memories and wants never to leave. Then she is approached by a property developer who believes he can earn a considerable  profit thanks to the location. Clara turns down the offer in no uncertain terms, after which the company tries to intimidate her. She finds herself in a thriller-like plot, involving corruption and the various layers of Brazil’s class-ridden society.

Few filmmakers are able to portray humanity and alienation as strongly as subtlely as director Kleber Mendonça Filho. Inequality and the misuse of power have left their traces all over Brazil. No one has clean hands, and Clara too is no saint. But she is the indisputable heroine of this story, with her brave battle against a greedy foe.

Aquarius’is a challenging, sparkling film in which nothing is predictable. Winner of 33 awards, including Best Actress for the formidable leading actress Sonia Braga!