Anna Muylaert: five films to get to know the director behind ‘Que Horas Ela Volta?’

Anna Muylaertfilm producer, director and screenwriter, turned 60 last Sunday, the 21st. In celebration of the birthday of the filmmaker behind What time does she come back? (2015), Flávio Ermírio It is Veronica Debom selected films to learn about the work of Muylaert.

Provoked by the desire and love for literature and cinema, Flavio found the possibility of reconciling both influences in dramaturgy, mainly in the creation of scripts for theaters. In 2021, she directed The Tree Housea feature film shown and awarded at several international festivals.

He nominated three films from the director’s filmography: “Anna He directed 5 fiction features, one better than the other, but at least three are essential to know his work”, he said in an exclusive comment sent to Rolling Stone Brazil.

Start by What time does she come back?, his masterpiece and most internationally successful film to date. With a brilliant performance by Regina Casé, awarded in Sundance as Best Actress, it’s the best way to begin to understand her universe.

Then go to Smoking is prohibited — once again with a brilliant performance from its protagonist, in this case Gloria Pires, and a story about addictions, obsessions and love.

Finally, find out where it all started: Durval Discos. It is in his first feature film that Anna Muylaert establishes the foundations of his style — an unparalleled combination of humor, social criticism, musicianship and unforgettable performances. It’s impossible not to fall in love with cinema Anna Muylaert.

Veronica Debom She is an actress and screenwriter with stints at Globo and Record, as well as a successful playwright. She emerged on the Rio theater scene with the play The pineapple — which, in 2022, became a book of the same name — and was nominated for the Emmy by production Diary of a Confined Person, from Globo. She was the first screenwriter to join the film My sister and Istarring Ingrid Guimarães It is Tata Werneckin which she also participates as an actress. Good also stars in the new film Muylaert, The Business Women’s Club.

“There’s no way you’ve watched this one because it hasn’t come out yet. It’s a prank on the anniversary list, I admit. But I had the pleasure of being present at the filming and I can tell you that you won’t want to miss it when it comes out!”, said the actress. “The artist’s cannon is now aimed at the patriarchy. Imagine if Fellini was a Brazilian woman. The farofa of fantastic characters seasoned with acid criticism and a hint of sadism will, I’m sure, have an unforgettable flavor. Looking forward to this debut.”

Like this Flavio, Veronica indicates Durval Discos (2002) and What time does she come back?:

The intelligence of Anna in taking us by surprise and turning the plot upside down at any moment is very evident in Durval Discos. A nostalgic film about how difficult the passage of time is. You can laugh, cry, identify, be terrified and enchanted, all at the same time. Beautiful metaphors with a rock and roll script show the disruptive identity of this filmmaker.

One of the greatest classics of Brazilian cinema. What time does she come back? It is a perfect x-ray of the hypocrisy of our slave society. It’s the story of every Brazilian (I doubt there is anyone in the country who doesn’t identify with or recognize those characters). It’s a slap in the face and a citizenship lesson without the appearance of an educational film. In What time does she come back?, Anna continues using his signature style: characters familiar to the audience drawing powerful metaphors. But in this one she uses this structure to make a surgical social critique. If you haven’t watched it yet, you’re wrong.

Veronica further added Mother There Is Only One (2016):

Inspired by a true story, it is fascinating to watch the imagination of Anna about what was happening inside the door in the strange case of the boy Pedrinho. The boy was kidnapped as a child and when the family finally finds him as a young man, he doesn’t want to return home. His biological family is made up of strangers, his affection is directed towards the kidnapper who was his mother for so many years. Reading the newspaper report about the case is fascinating. The thesis about family that Anna builds on this is unmissable.