The Invisible Life of Eurídice Gusmão
What if your parents lie to you because your lifestyle clashes with their traditional views? This is the question Karim Aïnouz addresses in his latest film, a "tropical melodrama" in the words of the Brazilian director. Though the story actually contains all elements of a melodrama, Aïnouz skilfully manages to avoid all clichés; his characters are people of flesh and blood, people with understandable motives.
Rio de Janeiro, 1950: the loving bond between 18-year-old pianist Eurídice and her slightly older sister Guida is broken when Guida follows her heart and leaves with a Greek sailor for his homeland. She soon returns however, disillusioned and pregnant. Their parents do not inform Eurídice of Guida's return, who therefore thinks her sister is still in Greece. Meanwhile Guida is told that Eurídice is away, studying at the Vienna conservatory. The lie keeps the two sisters apart. Received several awards, also in Cannes.
