Saudade fez Morada aqui Dentro

Netflix is the streaming platform that excels at unearthing hidden gems. If it weren't for the São Paulo International Film Festival's Netflix Prize, the world would have remained oblivious to the existence of "Saudade Fez Morada Aqui Dentro." With the monopolization of movie theaters by major corporations, film festivals, once a haven for cinephiles, have also lost their purpose.

The fact that this film was sent away empty-handed from the festival indicates that this problem is universal, affecting both sides of the ocean.

The film tells the story of a 15-year-old adolescent losing his sight. Director, screenwriter, cinematographer, and editor Haraldo Borges makes intelligent choices, narrating the story through a coming-of-age lens rather than resorting to unnecessary melodrama.

Gabriel Gurman, Netflix Brazil's director, aptly remarked about the film: "Saudade Fez Morada Aqui Dentro is a production that represents the diversity and richness of Brazilian cinema, and we look forward to audiences around the world having the opportunity to discover this story."

I was able to watch the film thanks to Netflix, and it will soon be available in nearly 140 countries.

Bruno Jefferson's performance in the film is particularly remarkable. The director allowed for improvisation in some scenes, which further enhanced the film's impact.

Make sure to watch this film as soon as it hits your Netflix screens.

Bravo! This is a beautifully observed and authentic film, shot mostly in hand held closeup. A style which anticipates Bruno's shrinking world, faced as he is with the prospect of losing his sight on the verge of his maturity into adulthood. It could be documentary almost, expressed with a limited narrative in which the viewer must fill in certain of the gaps, just as the young teenager's future is unclear and unknowable. No matter the love and affection that envelopes him ... his mother, his brother, his bestie and his teacher will, in time, not be able to 'see' for him, and that becomes a path he must follow alone. The cast is perfect, the film deftly improvised. Especially convincing the devoted relationship between Bruno and his younger brother, Ronny.