Elena (2012)

Elena: Directed by Petra Costa. With Li An, Elena Andrade, Petra Costa. Elena, a young Brazilian woman, travels to New York with the same dream as her mother, to become a movie actress. She leaves behind her childhood spent in hiding during the years of the military dictatorship. She also leaves Petra, her seven year old sister. Two decades later, Petra also becomes an actress and goes to New York in search of Elena. She only has a few clues about her: home movies, newspaper clippings, a diary and letters. At any moment Petra hopes to find Elena walking in the streets in a silk blouse. Gradually, the features of the two sisters are confused; we no longer know one from the other. When Petra finally finds Elena in an unexpected place, she has to learn to let her go.

“Itu0026#39;s a beautiful documentary that shows how are extremely strong the connection between women in the same family. It is sad at the same time, impossible not to shed tears. It has absolutely nothing to do with the review above, that says that it is an ode to narcissism. Petra managed to merge the three (mother, daughter and sister) in an incredible and poetic way. The art direction is also beautiful. The way the mother describes her despair feelings just using words is also perfect. The soundtrack is one of the most beautiful Iu0026#39;ve heard in any documentary. The documentary is worth n many ways, as we can see ourselves in several situations.”