Betânia, directed and written by Marcello Botta, is a Brazilian film that made its world premiere in the Panorama section of the 2024 Berlin Film Festival and recently impressed audiences at the Rio Festival. This feature film explores the life of Betânia, a 65-year-old widow who returns to her hometown in Lençóis Maranhenses after the death of her husband. The film is a cultural and sensorial immersion that mixes tradition and modernity, introspection and culture shock.
The narrative follows Betânia, who, after the death of her husband, is convinced by her daughters to return to her village. There, she faces the challenges of a simple life in contrast to the new technologies and modernity that arrive in the region. The film portrays Betânia’s transition and adaptation to this new reality, as she rediscovers her roots and deals with the changes imposed by progress.
Marcello Botta, in his debut, demonstrates an impressive mastery of aesthetics and visual narrative. Botta’s editing, combined with memorable photography, conveys a profound authenticity. The scenes are carefully lit by the sun during the day and by fire at night, reflecting the beauty and rawness of Lençóis Maranhenses. The use of elements such as the folklore of Bumba Meu Boi adds layers of cultural richness and spirituality to the story.
Diana Mattos delivers a moving and authentic performance as Betânia, reflecting the character’s resilience and vulnerability. The core of the absurdity in the film is brought to life by Anouk Mulard as Sofie and Tim Vidal as Bernard, Frenchmen who travel to Maranhão. Their scenes are the most fictional and choreographed in the film, providing an interesting contrast to the rest of the narrative and eliciting strong reactions from the audience.
Betânia explores themes of grief, identity, and adaptation, while subtly criticizing modernity and progress. The inclusion of modern elements, such as the internet and smartphones, contrasts sharply with traditional village life, where simple things like leaving the refrigerator on 24 hours a day, as well as taking a shower, were not a thing. The presence of Atlantic tide-borne trash, an emerging phenomenon on the beaches of the Northeast, serves as a powerful symbol of the unwanted invasions of modernity.
Marcello Botta’s approach to cinematography is particularly inspiring. The soundtrack is equally remarkable, with popular songs adapted into styles such as brega, reggae, and chants. This creative use of music accentuates the cultural shock and narrative of the adaptation.
Betânia is a work that celebrates the culture and resilience of the Brazilian people, while subtly criticizing the impositions of modernity. The narrative is a reflection on change and adaptation, questioning the deification of urban life and exploring what we truly seek in our lives.
Although it sometimes presents an excess of information and social struggles, Betânia remains an essential cultural document and a testament to the human capacity to find happiness and belonging anywhere. This film is more than a film; it is a rescue of memory and traditions.
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