Black families of the Baixada Fluminense, threatened by a persistent state of police violence, protect one another's spiritual healing and search for justice; a gender fluid child searches for acceptance among families who repeatedly return him to the adoption system.
Pre-recorded Q&A with with Fernando Sousa, director of Keeping our loved ones alive (Nossos Mortos têm Voz), accompanies this screening! This talk appears at the end of this film playlist for viewing throughout the festival.
Jonathas has been adopted, but it doesn't take long until he is returned because he is "different" from the other kids. Inspired by true events.
"The Orphan...explores the darker side of adoption, identity, and belonging. In the film, the titular orphan Jonathas is a young Brazilian boy who’s been adopted and returned multiple times. Now one of the older kids in the orphanage, Jonathas struggles with how he should act in order to be adopted — and accepted. Inspired by true events, Markowicz creates a vivid portrait of how one’s burgeoning sexuality can threaten the construction of a cis-family unit. With The Orphan, she crafts a fascinating expression of gender fluidity through stunning cinematography and natural performances." — Jeffrey Bowers
“In making this film, I was hoping that people would be able to see themselves on both sides. I wanted to shine a light on what society expects from us, and how cruel those expectations can be to our own true nature. In Jonathas’ case, he’s apart from his biological family and he lacks the perspective of someone who accepts him as he is. My intention was to show struggles that anyone could face in seeking belonging and love, but at its highest level.” — Carolina Markowicz, Director
- Year2018
- Runtime15 minutes
- LanguagePortuguese w/ English subtitles
- CountryBrazil
- DirectorCarolina Markowicz
Black families of the Baixada Fluminense, threatened by a persistent state of police violence, protect one another's spiritual healing and search for justice; a gender fluid child searches for acceptance among families who repeatedly return him to the adoption system.
Pre-recorded Q&A with with Fernando Sousa, director of Keeping our loved ones alive (Nossos Mortos têm Voz), accompanies this screening! This talk appears at the end of this film playlist for viewing throughout the festival.
Jonathas has been adopted, but it doesn't take long until he is returned because he is "different" from the other kids. Inspired by true events.
"The Orphan...explores the darker side of adoption, identity, and belonging. In the film, the titular orphan Jonathas is a young Brazilian boy who’s been adopted and returned multiple times. Now one of the older kids in the orphanage, Jonathas struggles with how he should act in order to be adopted — and accepted. Inspired by true events, Markowicz creates a vivid portrait of how one’s burgeoning sexuality can threaten the construction of a cis-family unit. With The Orphan, she crafts a fascinating expression of gender fluidity through stunning cinematography and natural performances." — Jeffrey Bowers
“In making this film, I was hoping that people would be able to see themselves on both sides. I wanted to shine a light on what society expects from us, and how cruel those expectations can be to our own true nature. In Jonathas’ case, he’s apart from his biological family and he lacks the perspective of someone who accepts him as he is. My intention was to show struggles that anyone could face in seeking belonging and love, but at its highest level.” — Carolina Markowicz, Director
- Year2018
- Runtime15 minutes
- LanguagePortuguese w/ English subtitles
- CountryBrazil
- DirectorCarolina Markowicz
