Aquarius (2016) (Portuguese Language)

Review

146min

Genre:     Drama

Director:  Kleber Mendonça Filho

Cast:       Sonia Braga, Humberto Carrão, Zoraide Coleto…and more

Writer:    Kleber Mendonça Filho

-Synopsis-

Sonia Braga stars as a well-to-do widower and retiree in northeastern Brazil, whose quiet later years are turned into a pitch battle against a company intent on demolishing and re-developing a building she refuses to leave, in writer/director Kleber Mendonça Filho’s reflective human drama about corporatization, gentrification and the social class system.

For only his second feature film and in a bid to once again reflect modern Brazilian society, writer/director Kleber Mendonça Filho returns to his native state of Pernambuco and recruits the talents of Latin American screen legend Sonia Braga for this frank and lyrical character portrait of a strong-willed, ageing woman in the modern world—making a fair few pertinent points about an increasingly disposable culture and the injustices of a corrupt society along the way.

Braga stars as upper middle-class, sixty-something widowed grandmother ‘Clara’; a former journalist and music aficionado struggling to balance tradition with a rapidly changing world, a virtual island in a fast moving river—along with her loyal maid ‘Ladjane’ (Zoraide Coleto)—as the only resident left standing in an old building on prime real estate. But the arrival of a young and determined passive-aggressive project manager (Humberto Carrão)—with a relentless drive to secure her flat for his construction company— soon escalates matters as he employs questionable tactics to drive her out, while she reflects on a life which formed an equally steely determination in her to resist.

Combining social commentary with character study and a bit of family drama, ‘Aquarius’ is not only a portrait of a unique individual, but also a window unto a part of Brazilian society which is seldom seen outside of the country—the upper middle class. With most globally successful Brazilian films understandably focusing on social inequality and the powerless, this is the story of a social and personal struggle from the distinct point of view of a person with enough means and connections to actually make it a struggle—as opposed to the vast majority who have little chance of resistance against corporations or the state . . . the reality of a ‘free’ society in many ‘democracies’.

‘Aquarius’ is set in the vibrant coastal city of Recife and isn’t just a reflection of Brazilian society—although it does make subtle references to a relatively recent time of oppressive military rule—but it’s also a very personal and candid drama about a woman’s life well lived but not yet done—in the face of illness, loss and grief as it is for everyone. Filho is blunt and honest in terms of his depictions of ageing, relationships and the language he uses, even featuring some unexpected but refreshingly matter-of-fact scenes of graphic nudity and sex to justify the film’s 18-rating—despite it not being a particularly provocative or sexually charged drama.

Arguably the most transcendental and important element of ‘Aquarius’ though is role of music in the film. Not only is it an integral part of the narrative which bridges the old and modern world for ‘Clara’—herself a music journalist—but it’s also the atmospheric and emotional heart of the film, which reflects a country where music is a crucial ventricle in the heart of the culture. As a result Filho seasons his film with a wonderful soundtrack of classic Brazilian pop, soul and bossa nova  . . . as well as some instantly recognisable rock classics and more modern fare.

The most overt theme of ‘Aquarius’ is the notion that things and places can not only hold sentimental value but also evoke powerful emotions and hold the memories which define people, in one place. All of which helps to stir an even greater sense of righteous indignation in ‘Clara’ and the audience when it comes to her ordeal—for which Filho ultimately gives us a gratifying conclusion . . . but which for those familiar with how things work in Brazil is the most fanciful part of this ultra-realist human drama.

Thanks to a refined performance from Sonia Braga—which deserved award season recognition, as did the film— Kleber Mendonça Filho’s second film manages to effectively cram not only themes of social injustice, but also the struggle between ‘progress’ and tradition plus much more into a candid and compelling human drama about the imperfect realities of life, featuring the uncomfortable and perhaps rose-tinted but powerful memories that enrich it.

The Bottom Line…

A frank and reflective, layered and lyrical portrait of a strong-willed woman in the twilight of her life, ‘Aquarius’ is both a captivating character drama and a microcosm of the unjust realities in Brazilian society—from a distinctly middle-class perspective of course—all brought to life by a nuanced performance from a Brazilian screen legend at the peak of her powers.

Similar films you may like (Home Video)

Neighboring Sounds (2012)

Set in modern-day coastal Northeastern Brazil, writer/director Kleber Mendonça Filho’s first feature follows the lives of the middle-class residents of a Recife neighbourhood and the changes brought about by the arrival of a private security firm, hired to keep them safe.

Directed by Kleber Mendonça Filho and starring Ana Rita Gurgel, Caio Almeida and Maeve Jinkings among others.

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