Low Light

Source: Open Reel

‘Low Light’

EXCLUSIVE: Italy’s Open Reel has taken on sales for Brazilian feature Low Light (Lusco Fusco) starring Palme d’Or winning actress Sandra Corveloni.

Directed by Bel Bechara and Sandro Serpa, Low Light won the three prizes as a work in progress at last year’s Ventana Sur.

The film is produced by Manjericão Filmes’s Rafaella Costa, whose credits include Cannes Critics Week 2023 title Levante and Berlinale Generation 14plus 2020 selection My Name Is Baghdad.

Corveloni won the Palme d’Or best for her role in Walter Salles and Daniela Thomas’ 2008 feature Linha de Passe. She stars alongside Amandyra (Greice) in Low Light.

Low Light is the second feature film from Bechara and Serpa after 2019’s Wherever You Are.

A female focused story about domestic abuse and mutual solidarity, it centres on neighbours Vera and Alda who work at the same school — Vera is a teacher, and Alda is a cleaner.

The link between them is Joana, Alda’s granddaughter and Vera’s student. Vera is trapped in a violent relationship with her boyfriend. When Alda begins studying again, soon she realizes she’s also in an abusive relationship: her son, Dinho, won’t let her focus on herself and insists that she take care of his daughter, Joana.

Vera and Alda find in their friendship a safe space to share their pain and desires, slowly shifting the power dynamics at home and at work — but they also have to face new risks.