PARAISO PERDIDO/ PARADISE LOST

Brazil, 2018, 110 minutes, Colour.

Lee Taylor, Jaloo, Erasmo Carlos, Julio Andrade, Seu Jorge, Humberto Corrao, Marjorie Estiano, Malu Galli, Hermila Guedos, Julia Konrad.

Directed by Monique Gardenberg.

This is the story of an unusual group of characters at a Brazilian nightclub. Most of the action takes place there, the management, the performers, including a young drag queen, other singers, the clientele.

The film opens melodramatically with a young woman killing an older man, his son witnessing it. She goes to prison for 20 years.

In the present, a police officer pulls over a character from the club who invites him to attend. The policeman also defends the young drag queen from homophobic thugs. He is offered a job by the manager, the father and grandfather-figure, to keep an eye on security at the club. This he does.

The film gives a lot of attention to each of the characters, their role in the club, the performances, and the complexities of the family relationships.

The film also gives a lot of attention to the range of performances.

Ultimately, the policeman discovers more about the family, his own connections, relationships, and his mentally disturbed mother. And, with the discoveries, is able to bring some kind of peace and love to the family.

1. The title? Regrets?
2. A Brazilian film, Brazilian atmosphere, the cities, the clubs, homes, prisons? Atmosphere? The background music, the songs?
3. The opening, Eva, young, the murder, the witness of the young boy?
4. In the present, the club, the range of singers, management, the clientele, drag queens?
5. Odair, policeman, the encounter with Teylor, his speeding, the invitation to the club, his deciding to go? Defending Ima from homophobic thugs? Discussions with Jose, the offer of the job, his acceptance? Daily work for the police, the detail of his work in the precinct? After hours at the club? At home, his mother, her health, helplessness?
6. The complex family, Jose, former academic, his singing, management of the club? His children, Eva, the murder, going to prison for 20 years? Angelo and his singing? The photo of Nadia, relationship with her, her disappearance? Celeste as their daughter, her work, abortion, the unknown father?
7. Eva, the visit to prison, giving birth to Ima, getting out, the relationship with my lean, friendship, my lean and the deception, getting out of prison, the continued relationship with Eva?
8. Eva and Odair, the sexual relationship in consequences?
9. Pedro, his coming to the club, awkward, the attachment to Ima? Teaching, family, the relationship with him?
10. Odair, discovering the relationships, even murdering his father, the relationship with Ima, persuading his mother to come to the club, the revelations?
11. The particular Brazilian characters and situations – and the universality?