Hurry, the tantrum is coming
Nthe year in which Brazilian cinema won the first Oscar with I’m still hereother titles stood out at festivals and beyond, and became the talk of the town. Check out a guide to watching the national productions available for the season. You can download it in PDF here, send it via WhatsApp to your friends, as well as give a print in the films you have already seen or want to see and post on social media, tagging @revistapiaui
The secret agentby Kleber Mendonça Filho
you cinema us
Set in Recife in 1977, during the military dictatorship, the political thriller follows the struggle of Marcelo (Wagner Moura), a university professor in search of shelter in a condominium of people trapped by the dictatorship. As soon as he arrives, however, he realizes that the city is not the refuge he expected. Anyone who has watched (or will watch later) the Ghost Portraitsby the same director, will have an even more complete story on your hands. Ditto for anyone who reads about the legend of hairy leg already Piauí.
The Cannes Festival named Moura the best actor and Mendonça Filho the best director. The title full of tantrum Brazilian film became a hit in the Oscar betting markets – which is a compliment to the award. The most optimistic list (for our side) is that of The Hollywood Reporterwhich foresees nominations for best film, best international film, direction, original screenplay and actor.
3 Obas of Xangôby Sérgio Machado
you cinema us
With Lázaro Ramos narrating the letters that Jorge Amado, Dorival Caymmi and Carybé exchanged between them, the documentary is a deep dive into the Bahia invented by the three friends – in terms of music, visual arts and literature. The film can and should be seen as a collage of photographs and audio and video recordings (unpublished or not) that fulfills a curious function: showing Salvador from the perspective of the trio of friends, which, primarily, as Jorge Amado makes a point of saying right at the beginning, is a city of prostitutes and vagrants – this is, in fact, where he draws his breath for his literary production.
In July this year, the film won the award for best documentary feature film at the 24th Grande Otelo do Cinema Brasileiro.
The last blueby Gabriel Mascaro
you cinema us
In a fictional small town somewhere in the Amazon, Tereza (Denise Weinberg), 77 years old, tries at all costs to escape a policy of forced exile imposed on the elderly. The government, relentless, decides to pull the string even further: it reduces to 75 the minimum age at which elderly people must be sent to an isolated colony, far from everything and everyone. But Tereza still hasn’t come to terms with the fate that was forced on her. He wants to make his dream come true: fly by plane. From there, the film unfolds into a delicate dystopia. On her journey, Tereza seeks total freedom: to know the world, others, herself and, above all, to be able to make mistakes.
Winner of the Silver Bear for best direction at the Berlin Film Festival, The Last Blue It had its world premiere at the festival and was distributed in more than 65 countries, in addition to being shown at more than 50 festivals.
Manasby Marianna Brennand
not Globoplay
Jamilli Correa plays Marcielle, a girl with a seemingly monotonous life, who is looking for a way to escape the atrocious reality in which she finds herself inserted: her father is a threat, a sullen man who, strangely, insists on sleeping by her side every night. The girl, although she tries to find ways to escape the situation, is forced to face it.
Awarded at the Venice Film Festival and Cannes, Manas He was also selected to represent Brazil at the 2026 Goya Prize, which takes place in February.
West againby Erico Rassi
not Globoplay
Set in the backlands of Goiás, West again follows Totó (Ângelo Antônio) and Durval (Babu Santana), two tough men who, after being abandoned by the same woman, face each other in confrontations that go far beyond weapons: the clash is one of pride. The film stands out for the way it uses classic western elements – traditionally associated with the violent universe of men – to delve into current themes such as toxic masculinity and male fragility.
The film was awarded the Kikito trophy for best film at the 52nd Gramado Festival
Apocalypse in the tropicsby Petra Costa
on Netflix
Silas Malafaia is a central figure in Petra Costa’s documentary that captures the influence of evangelical churches on Brazilian politics, which, after the 2018 election, became increasingly evident. Costa follows everything from the candidacy of the caricatured pastor Cabo Daciolo to the coup attempt on January 8, interviewing believers and leaders who have varied considerations about the country’s political-social direction.
The documentary won the award for best documentary feature film at the 45th edition of the Havana International Festival and is among the favorites for the Oscar nomination for best documentary in 2026, also according to the beloved Hollywood Reporter, who is letting us dream.
Being drawnby Oswaldo Santana and Karen Harley
not Globoplay
Without statements from friends and family, the documentary presents Rita Lee in the last interview the singer gave in 2019, four years before her death. As she herself points out, the pair of directors capture her at the best moment of her life – years after retiring from the stage, living with her grandchildren (in one section, she and her granddaughter listen to proibidão funk together) and alongside her partner Roberto de Carvalho, caught on several occasions weeding plants around the garden. The film is fun and moving, with unique originality.
Man with Hby Esmir Filho
on Netflix
The biopic follows the trajectory of Ney Matogrosso, from childhood to the present day, revisiting the main moments in the life and career of one of the most notable artists in Brazilian music. The film covers his personal and professional transformations, his emotional relationships (including his romance with Cazuza) and the impact of his family upbringing, especially his relationship with his father, presented in the first scenes. Played by Jesuíta Barbosa, Ney is portrayed in his search for freedom and with the characteristic firmness of someone who, from a very young age, already knew who he was.
The film drew more than 600 thousand spectators to cinemas and, after being made available by Netflixreached more than 190 countries.
Babyby Marcelo Caetano
not Globoplay
Wellington and Ronaldo form an unconventional couple made up of a boy who has just been released from a detention center and a prostitute. However, there resides in these harsh realities a disconcerting beauty, a central theme of Baby – which is also the name adopted by Wellington for his future endeavors. The two, over time, end up in a passion surrounded by danger and ambiguity, while surviving in an underworld São Paulo.
Baby won the main prize at the Première Brasil at the Rio Festival, as well as Best Actor (João Pedro Mariano), Best Art Direction (Thales Junqueira) and Special Jury Prize. At the 77th Cannes Festival, Ricardo Teodoro, who later became successful as Olavinho in the soap opera Anything goeswas named Best New Actor at Critics’ Week.
Cash registerby Luciano Vidigal
not Globoplay
In his first solo fiction feature, Luciano Vidigal takes an affectionate look at the youth of the urban periphery: young black people who need to make ends meet to pay the bills and take care of their own, but who, despite the daily hassles, still allow themselves to dream, smoke a joint and dance. Casa Branca says a lot about maturing too quickly, without forgetting that time forgives no one and the vitality of youth doesn’t last forever. In the first thirty minutes, a phrase said by Dé (Big Jaum) captures the spirit of the film: “Let’s make fun of my grandmother!” Dé is a young black man from the outskirts of Rio de Janeiro who alone cares for Dona Almerinda (Teca Pereira), in an advanced stage of Alzheimer’s. The woman depends entirely on the attention of her grandson, who, as a result, is unable to find a job and accumulates months and months of rent arrears.
He won the Redeemer Trophy for Best Direction of a Fiction Feature Film at the Rio 2024 Festival. He stood out at the Rio Festival with awards for Best Cinematography and Best Supporting Actor.
A wolf among swansof Helena Varvake and Marcos Schemist
Available for purchase or rent
Thiago Soares, a young resident of the Rio suburbs, leaves his hip-hop steps behind to dedicate himself to classical ballet. At the age of 17, he joined the dance company at the Theatro Municipal do Rio de Janeiro. Later, he met Dino Carrera, who became his mentor. The biopic follows the Brazilian to stardom, when he achieved the position of principal dancer at the Royal Ballet in London, in 2006.
The best mother in the worldby Anna Muylaert
on Netflix
Gal (Shirley Cruz), a recyclable collector, has two children and lives with her husband (Seu Jorge), who represents a constant threat. To escape the attacks, she decides to leave home and head to Itaquera, where her sister lives. A walk that she takes accompanied by little Rihanna and Benin, who see the journey as just an adventure.
At this year’s Guadalajara Festival, the film won the awards for Best Screenplay, Best Cinematography and Best Performance (Shirley).
Victoryde Andrucha Waddington
not Globoplay
Based on a true story, Vitória (Fernanda Montenegro) is a woman in her 80s who lives alone in her apartment. From the window of the house, you can see the intense movement of drug traffickers who operate on the hill behind the building, in Copacabana, coercing residents and brandishing machine guns. After a trip to the police station that yields nothing, she buys an amateur camera and decides to film all the crime on her own. With the help of journalist Flávio Godoy, the recordings come to light and his life is radically transformed.
O The film surpassed 500,000 spectators in Brazilian cinemas, grossing more than 10 million reais at the box office. It also won the Audience Award at the 4th Brazilian Film Festival in Lima.
Perrengue fashionby Flávia Lacerda
in cinemas and Prime Video
Paula Pratta (Ingrid Guimarães), an influencer who has been trying to establish herself in the fashion business, has to drop everything on the eve of a big Mother’s Day campaign because her son is missing.
The Brazil that never existed: the adventures of Barão de Itararé in the kingdom of Getúlio Vargasby Arnaldo Branco and Renato Terra
no Curta!On
The film tells the tragicomic story of Gaucho journalist Apparício Torelly, or Apporelly (1895-1971), who became famous in journalism for his fierce satires of his greatest tormentor, President Getúlio Vargas, one of the most controversial figures in Brazilian history, so loved, so hated. Creator of the weekly Tomorrow (a joke with Tomorrowa daily newspaper at the time that took itself seriously), Apporelly was innovative and revolutionary, with an inexhaustible repertoire of clever puns, such as “Getúlio Dor Neles Vargas”. Through the hands of the comedian, the integralist motto “God, homeland and family” became “Goodbye, homeland and family” – nothing more current.
The humorous text of the documentary – narrated by Gregorio Duvivier, perfect in its ironic tone – was written by Arnaldo Branco and Renato Terra, who together also wrote the direction. The film reminds us who we are, where we came from and how, in fits and starts, Brazil achieved what it did.
The film premiered at the Paraty Literary Festival and was later shown at the Rio Festival, as part of the Premiére Brasil program.
Hi! I’m Renato Lopes, an electric vehicle enthusiast and the creator of this blog dedicated to the future of clean, smart, and sustainable mobility. My mission is to share accurate information, honest reviews, and practical tips about electric cars—from new EV releases and battery innovations to charging solutions and green driving habits. Whether you’re an EV owner, a curious reader, or someone planning to make the switch, this space was made for you.
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