Advent of Maria
- Director: Vinícius Machado
- Writer: Vinícius Machado
- Producer: Liana Farias
CGiii Comment
Vinícius Machado certainly knows how to stretch a story...the first 50 minutes or so could have been easily told in 5 minutes. Every scene is protracted to breaking point.
Nothing really happens...and, when something does happen, it happens off-screen!
The religious content is overbearing...but, it does - eventually - lead to what could have been the clash/conflict [of minds and ideologies] that this film so desperately needed. But, frustratingly, it was more of a damp squib than an explosion...with religion being mighty silent [for a change!].
Then...after all that wasted time...it really does explode! Culminating in a scene that really stands out - a father washes his child! It's beautiful...and could have lasted longer!
Advent of Maria had all the ingredients to be more than it is. Maria Eduarda Maia delivers a fantastic performance - as do all the other actors. The aunt and cousin get short shrift...sadly, a subplot that could have exploded right before our very eyes...but, it just simply disappeared.
Knowing the importance of a good script editor...[always] makes for a better film. As well-intentioned as it is, mismanagement let it down. Shame, the potential, the ideas and on-screen talent were all there.
Trailer...
The(ir) Blurb...
Maria, an 11-year-old transgender girl, tormented by the search for her identity, faces religious and family pressure until she meets Lena, her new neighbour. A pure friendship, free from judgments and prejudices, moves Maria to discover and understand her condition.
Maria é uma menina em busca de compreender sua identidade em meio a pressões religiosas e familiares até conhecer a nova vizinha que abre rumos em sua jornada.
Cast & Characters
Maria Eduarda Maia (as Maria)
Adriana Lodi (as Juliana)
Marcos Alberto Filho (as Gabriel)
Marcelo Pelucio (as Padre Lucas)
Roberta Rangel (as Ana)
Genivaldo Sampaio (as Denis)