À Deriva

I’d seen a gorgeous photo of Camila Belle at the Canne’s Film Festival one year in a magazine and I thought to myself, so young, so fortunate and living the dream! Little did I know her mother was Brazilian and she’d have a starring role in this memorable film. Adrift 2009 was a carefully and beautifully executed film about what deception, lies and divorce can do to people. Artfully starring new-comer Laura Neiva and Black Swan’s French blue-eyed, Vincent Cassel; it was a heart-wrenching journey of truth and the powerful love between father and daughter. Stunning Brazilian landscapes and attractive close-shots were rampant, truly capturing the emotions of the stories main characters. The lovely and elegant American, Camila Belle played the beach whore exceptionally and effortlessly and although few lines in this film she again continues to show her range of acting skillfulness.

Written and directed by Brazilian, Heitor Dhalia, this film was a pounding and melancholic success of truth. Alcohol, affairs, a beautiful fourteen-year old daughter and a paradise beach house on a peaceful coast. What seems together and stable falls apart before your very eyes and emotions run high when a young girl is forced to become of age due to a world falling apart. The audience is taken on a whirlwind mystery as Filipa played by Laura Neiva discovers a secret about her family.

It brought tears to my eyes as we feel this girl’s pain, doubt, and horror that the world isn’t as she may have imagined. That it really is full of people run by alcohol and sex; by things that temporarily make us feel whole again. Tainted and disappointed with life she searches for love elsewhere and tries to make sense of the cruel chain of events not only in her parent’s lives but within her circle of friends’ as well. There were many exquisite shots and striking scenes, but one of my favourites’ would have to be when Filipa ran to the beach at night. It reminded me of a scene from one of my favourite French Films; The 400 Blows, where the main character also runs to the beach, but in lengthy silence. The theme song was a lovely one, but it’s sad to see that there isn’t very much information on this film online; not to mention on who wrote the main theme song. Stunning in every way, a masterpiece in its own right! Gooo Brazil! J