Linha de Passe

Walter Salles and Daniela Thomas's 2008 Brazilian film is about a family living on the edge of São Paulo. Cleuza works as a cleaner, has four sons and is pregnant with a fifth child; the boys have different fathers and none of them is around. The four brothers are followed separately: the eldest works as a motorcycle courier and cannot control his anger, one hopes to become a footballer and goes to trials, one takes refuge in the church, and the youngest rides the bus routes one by one looking for the driver who is his father. The film questions the presentation of football and religion as ways out; both produce waiting and neither saves anyone. It offers no resolution and the ending stays separate for each brother. Sandra Corveloni was named best actress at Cannes. Who it's for: viewers who like Brazilian social drama. Who it's not for: anyone expecting a hopeful ending; the film gives none.