Edition 24: 1–9 August, 2025

INTERNATIONAL DOX: FEATURES

Elena

Brazil
2012 — 82' / Color

1

Synopsis

Elena, a young Brazilian woman, travels to New York with the same dream as her mother, to become a movie actress. She leaves behind her childhood spent in hiding during the years of the military dictatorship. She also leaves Petra, her seven year old sister. Two decades later, Petra also becomes an actress and goes to New York in search of Elena. She only has a few clues about her: home movies, newspaper clippings, a diary and letters. At any moment Petra hopes to find Elena walking in the streets in a silk blouse. Gradually, the features of the two sisters are confused…

Directors' Biography

Petra Costa is a Brazilian filmmaker and actress. Petra completed her undergraduate studies Summa Cum Laude in Anthropology at Barnard College, Columbia University, New York. She did her Masters in Health, Community and Development at the London School of Economics, London. From the age of 15, she has been working professionally as an actress.

Directors

Petra Costa

Producers

Petra Costa

Cinematographers

Janice d’Avila

Miguel Vassy

Will Etchebehere

Editors

Marilia Moraes

Tina Baz

Sound

Guile Martins

Olivier Goinard

Contact

F&M ProCultura
Margarida Oliveira
+55 11 3263-0197
[email protected]

Competitions

Special
Programmes