Five maids in São Paulo are observed in this episodic, impressionistic film. The women interact with each other, ride busses, work, and have longings: Rai for a husband, Créo for her lost daughter, Roxane for a career in modeling. Quitéria is naive, a gull for thieves. Cida has a husband and also a lover. While each woman gets what she wishes for (more or less), it doesn't always make things better.
Direction
Meirelles' kinetic eye already forming—bus scenes are pure electricity.
Acting
Five lived-in performances, no weak links, all heartbreakingly specific.
Cinematography
São Paulo as character—claustrophobic, expansive, utterly alive.
Director
Nando Olival
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
BR
