Living in a slum divided between two rival gangs of drug traffickers, Analídia is the daughter of one of the gangs’ leaders and Jonatha is a childhood friend of the other. Both study in a dance group,directed by Fernanda, situated exactly in the middle of the two groups. Openly inspired by Romeo and Juliet, the film is a review of our strong sense of music, our contemporary dance as well as the strange mix we find in slum, where violence lives along side artistic possibility brought by social projects.
Jonatha is the community MC and his dream is to record a CD. Divided between his older brothers – Paulo (Flávio Bauraqui), idealist, worker, with a passion for samba, and Dudu (Babu Santana), adopted brother and head of one of the gangs that control the drug trade in the favela, his dilemma is whether or not to accept help from Dudu, who promises to finance his career with drug money.
The arrival of Analídia, with her mother (Elisa Lucinda), alters the favela routine. Sent to Maré, after Analídia’s father is jailed, they are under the protection of Bê (Jefchander Lucas), Analídia’s cousin, and head of the gang opposing Dudu.
The only place that Analídia and Jonatha can meet is at the dance group, sponsored by an NGO, and coordinated by Fernanda, ex-ballerina. Neutral land in the favela, the shed where the group rehearses is the only space where residents of areas occupied by opposing powers in the drug war can get together in harmony.
The shed and the dance provide a chance for all to get away from the daily violence, attracting even Anjo (Anjo Lopes), who belongs to Bê’s gang.
Fernanda believes that she can create a real dance company. However little by little she gets involved with the personalities and the different factions that dominate the community. Impressed by Analídia and Jonatha’s determination to continue their love story, in spite of the risks and the pressure from both sides, she tries to help them. Her plan however encounters difficulties due to the growing violence in Maré.
Cast
Presenting:
Cristina Lago
Vinicius D’Black
Anjo Lopes
Nação Maré
Marisa Orth
Babu Santana
Jefchander Lucas
Special role:
Elisa Lucinda
Flavio Bauraqui
Malu Galli
Credits
Direction and production: Lucia Murat
Production: Taiga Filmes
Co-production: Limite, Gloria Filmes, Lavorágine Filmes
Executive production: Luis Vidal, Branca Murat, Daniel Lion
Photography direction: Lucio Kodato
Production direction: Martha Ferraris
Choreography: Graciela Figueroa
Sound track: Fernando Moura and Marcos Suzano
Mixage: Emmanuel Croset
Sound editing: Simone Petrillo
Directo sound: José Louzeiro, Paulo Ricardo Nunes
Camera: Fabricio Tadeu
Editing: Mair Tavares and Julia Murat
Screen play: Lucia Murat and Paulo Lins
Costumes: Inês Salgado
Art direction: Gringo Cardia
Photography direction: Lucio Kodato