Brazil 2006, Portuguese with English subtitles, 35mm, 90 min
Director: Tata Amaral
Screenplay: Roberto Moreira, Tata Amaral
Cinematography: Jacob Sarmento Solitrenick
Cast: Negra Li, Leilah Moreno, Cindy, Quelynah, Thaide
Print Source: O2 Filmes/ Lumina Films
In Vila Brasilandia, a suburb of Sao Paolo, four girls who work as backup vocalists start their own rap group called Antonia. Initially it seems like a guaranteed plan but the girls' dream of living off their music soon comes up against the barriers of poverty, violence and male chauvinism. The struggle to get themselves heard and make ends meet soon puts their friendship with each other under pressure.
But Antonia is not a film about vulnerable women in a harsh society. On the contrary, the girls are models of assertiveness and perseverance and eventually it seems like all their efforts might pay off. Featuring four genuine Brazilian R&B and hip hop stars in the lead roles, who are essentially playing themselves in a story about their own lives, Antonia is filled with vital energy, great music and an irrepressible spirit. With great performance and relaxed but controlled direction, this is not a candy-coated motivational vehicle but a piece of solid dramatic cinema.
The Cape Winelands will again at the 2012 edition of this festival present a series of Masterclasses and workshops. These events are sponsored by the City of Cape Town and Wesgro.
Winner of the Palme d’Or at this year’s Cannes festival, Apichatpong Weerasethakul’s new film has the magic of a fairy tale and the simplicity of a folk tale. Wonderfully immersive, slow and dreamy, 
