A Strange Path

Guto Parente's 2024 Brazilian film follows a young filmmaker who returns to his home town as the pandemic begins. He has to stay in the same house as the father he has not seen for years. The first part is realistic. The distance between father and son, the narrowing of daily life and the conditions of lockdown are shown; then the narrative slides slowly elsewhere and strange events begin. The film does not announce its genre. Horror elements enter without explanation; the narrative builds the relation between father and son as a kind of siege and leaves the close uncertain. Who it's for: those who like Brazilian independent cinema and mixtures of genre. Who it's not for: viewers expecting a clear resolution; the film does not close its questions.