A film that reframes bodies under the gaze of the Christian cross and challenges the boundaries of Brazilian LGBTQIA+ art
At the confluence of poetry, religion and the effervescent Brazilian LGBTQIA+ art scene, the film “Do Peito da Pele” by the Rachadura Visual Collective stands out as a liturgical journey, a cinematic experience that gives new meaning to bodies and challenges the Christofascist moral impositions that have surrounded our realities since the dawn of colonization.
Synopsis:
Adapted from the poem “O Que Faremos Com Ele” by Francisco Mallmann, the film recounts, almost like a ritual, the various alternatives we have for dealing with God, should He return. Keythe and Rudolfo, whose childhoods were shaped in evangelical environments, place their bodies under the scrutiny of a Christian cross, creating an altar that emulates society’s moral and punitive gaze while, at the same time, reframing that view through Brazilian LGBTQIA+ pop art.
Screenings and Awards:
The film premiered at the renowned Olhar Film Festival in Santarém, Pará, Brazil, in 2023, establishing itself as a provocative and innovative work. Over its trajectory, “Do Peito da Pele” has also been screened at international festivals, such as the Excéntrico Muestra Internacional de Pornografías Críticas in Chile, the Courts Mais Trash International Film Festival in Belgium and the Porn Film Festival Vienna in Austria, among others.
Awards and Nominations:
- Olhar Film Festival (2023): Honorable Mention for Best Editing. Rationale: The impeccable editing safeguards not only national cinema but also wisely uses third-party audiovisual works to accompany the poem, creating a technical masterpiece. Festival comment: “The impressive editing of ‘Do Peito da Pele’ represents a remarkable safeguarding of national cinema. The film’s skill in cleverly using third-party audiovisual works to enrich the narrative is truly impressive, resulting in a visual and technical masterpiece.”
- Olhar Film Festival (2023): Jury Prize Nomination. Rationale: Recognition of the cultural relevance, memory, aesthetics, narratives and experimentation investigated by the work. Festival comment: “The nomination of ‘Do Peito da Pele’ for the Jury Prize reflects the significant impact the work had through its courageous and innovative approach to cultural, aesthetic and narrative themes. A work that challenges and inspires.”
- Festival Internacional de Cine Austral – FICA (2020): Best Experimental in the Latin American Regional Competition. Rationale: For its innovative proposal and break with the traditional format, conveying genuine emotions and building a unique, original and provocative work. Festival comment: “The win of ‘Do Peito da Pele’ in the Best Experimental category is a testament to its courageous proposal and its ability to break the conventions of the traditional format. The film not only conveys authentic emotions, but its editing contributes to a unique, original and provocative work.”
- VertiFilms Festival (2020): Honorable Mention for Concept-Idea and Art Direction. Rationale: Recognition of the originality of the concept and art direction, which contribute to a unique and provocative cinematic experience. Festival comment: “‘Do Peito da Pele’ receives an Honorable Mention for its concept-idea and art direction, standing out for its originality and provocation. A work that challenges norms and enriches the contemporary film scene.”
“Do Peito da Pele” not only challenges established norms but also opens a dialogue about the reframing of bodies and the breaking of paradigms through Brazilian LGBTQIA+ artistic expression. A work that transcends borders and leaves a lasting mark on the landscape of contemporary cinema. Interested? To watch the film, get in touch by email at rachaduravisual@gmail.com.