©AKKA Films / Basil Da Cunha, 2023
“Manga D’Terra,” directed by the Swiss-Portuguese filmmaker Basil da Cunha, takes its audience into the heart of a struggle that is both poignant and profoundly moving. It narrates the story of Rosinha, a character played with astounding authenticity by Elina Rosa in her acting debut. Her narrative, set in a strife-torn neighborhood of Portugal, marries social realism with elements of musical genre, culminating in a film that speaks on multiple levels about pain, desperation, dreams, and ultimately, resilience.
Directed by: Basil da Cunha
Year: 2023
Country: Portugal, Switzerland
Length: 96 minutes
Rosinha, a mother who has left her children behind in Cape Verde in the hope of a better life, finds herself in a poor Portuguese neighborhood marked by criminality and violent police raids. It’s a setting that feels both immediate and distressingly real, and da Cunha paints it in stark, unflinching tones that lend weight to Rosinha’s story.
Elina Rosa’s portrayal of Rosinha is undoubtedly the centerpiece of this film. From her haunted eyes that convey a world of pain to her moments of breaking into song that provide an uplifting contrast to her otherwise oppressed existence, Rosa is a revelation. Her performance, particularly during the musical sequences, transcends the visual and becomes an emotional experience, making her struggle palpable to viewers.
Basil da Cunha’s use of social realist style brings a gritty authenticity to the film. His unvarnished depiction of Rosinha’s world, filled with desperation and dark corners, is powerful in its starkness. The contrast between this gritty reality and the sudden bursts of song is not jarring but poetic. The songs, rather than being mere musical interludes, become expressions of Rosinha’s innermost feelings, woven into the narrative with a seamlessness that amplifies the emotional resonance.
The depiction of criminality in the film is not glorified but treated with a raw honesty that speaks to a broader societal malaise. Da Cunha does not shy away from portraying the desperation that drives people like Rosinha to the brink, but he does so with a compassion that humanizes rather than demonizes them. The police raids and the environment of fear they create are captured with a brutal realism that leaves a lasting impression.
What sets “Manga D’Terra” apart is its successful fusion of realism and musical elements, a combination that might seem incongruent but works beautifully under da Cunha’s careful direction. The music is not an escape but an extension of Rosinha’s reality, a soul-stirring expression of her unspoken thoughts, dreams, and fears.
In conclusion, “Manga D’Terra” is an unmissable piece of cinema that transcends genre boundaries. With Elina Rosa’s remarkable debut and Basil da Cunha’s visionary direction, it weaves a tale that is at once heart-wrenching and inspiring, grim yet filled with hope. Its storytelling, musical interludes, and compelling performances combine to create a film that is likely to resonate with audiences wanting to seek out cinema that is rooted in real-life experiences. The film is a haunting melody that lingers, a portrait of life in all its brutal honesty and transcendent beauty.
“Manga D’Terra” premiered at the 2023 Locarno Film Festival as part of the festival´s International Competition.
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