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Betânia

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Betânia
Theatrical release poster
Directed byMarcelo Botta
Written byMarcelo Botta
Produced by
  • Gabriel Di Giacomo
  • Marcelo Botta
Starring
  • Diana Mattos
  • Tião Carvalho
CinematographyBruno Graziano
Edited byMárcio Hashimoto
Music by
  • Marcelo Botta
  • Tião Carvalho
  • Edivaldo Marquita
  • Misael Pereira
  • Henrique Menezes
  • A Barca
Production
company
Salvatore Filmes
Distributed by
  • MPM Premium
Release date
Running time
120 minutes
CountryBrazil
Languages
  • Portuguese
  • French

Betânia is a 2024 Brazilian drama film written and directed by Marcelo Botta in his feature directorial debut. The film starring Diana Mattos, revolves around Betânia 65 and a stalwart family matriarch, who is on a turbulent ride on the ever-shifting sands of time.[1]

It was selected in the Panorama section at the 74th Berlin International Film Festival and was screened on 18 February 2024.[2] Marcelo Botta, the first feature director was nominated for GWFF Best First Feature Award in the festival.[3]

Synopsis

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After losing her husband, Betânia, a 65-year-old family matriarch, is convinced by her daughters to return to her birthplace, where her relatives still reside. The village is located near the Lençóis Maranhenses National Park’s sandy landscape in Maranhão, a Brazilian state that has recently become arid and is close to the Amazon. Betânia abandons her simple, rural life without electricity and enters a world where old and new clash. Driven by the ancient music of Maranhão, Betânia and her family struggle to preserve their identity. Life prevails, as it always does, despite the challenges of the towering sand dunes, contaminated water, economic difficulties and family conflicts.

Cast

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  • Diana Mattos as Betânia
  • Tião Carvalho as Ribamar
  • Caçula Rodrigues as Tonhão
  • Nádia D’Cássia as Vitória
  • Ulysses Azevedo as Antonio Filho
  • Michelle Cabral as Irineusa
  • Vitão Santiago as Xambim
  • Enme Paixão as DJ Kaya

Production

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Set in the sand dunes of Lençois in Northern Brazil, the film is bank rolled by Salvatore Filmes.[4]

Release

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Betânia had its world premiere on 18 February 2024, as part of the 74th Berlin International Film Festival, in Panorama.[5][6]

In December 2023, Paris-based MPM Premium has acquired the sales rights of the film prior to its Berlinale premiere.[4]

Reception

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Stephen Saito reviewing for Moveable Fest at Berlinale wrote, "While the film is more inclined to chase their vitality than to adhere to some more traditional structure, much like the characters themselves, “Betânia” finds the rewards in that experience."[7]

Accolades

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Award Date Category Recipient Result Ref.
Berlin International Film Festival 25 February 2024 Panorama Audience Award for Best Feature Film Marcelo Botta Nominated [5]
GWFF Best First Feature Award Marcelo Botta Nominated [3]
Teddy Award for Best Feature Film Marcelo Botta Nominated [8]

References

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  1. ^ "Betânia". MPM Premium. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
  2. ^ Abbatescianni, Davide (17 January 2024). "The Panorama strand of the Berlinale to open with Levan Akin's Crossing". Cineuropa. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
  3. ^ a b "GWFF Best First Feature Award". Berlinale. 1 February 2024. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
  4. ^ a b Callum McLennan (22 December 2023). "MPM Premium Acquires International Rights to Berlin Panorama Player 'Betania' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
  5. ^ a b Goodfellow, Melanie (17 January 2024). "Berlinale Unveils Full Panorama, Forum & Generation Line-Ups With New Films By Nathan Silver, Levan Akin, André Téchiné & Bruce LaBruce". Deadline. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
  6. ^ "Betânia". Berlinale. 6 February 2024. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
  7. ^ Stephen Saito (19 February 2024). "Berlinale 2024 Review: A Matriarch Builds a Formidable Sand Castle in "Betânia"". Moveable Fest. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
  8. ^ Gregory Coutaut (3 February 2024). "Les films en compétition pour le Teddy Award 2024" [The films in competition for the Teddy Award 2024]. Polyester (in French). WordPress. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
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