Island of Marajó, Amazon rainforest. Marcielle (Tielle), 13, lives by the riverbanks with her father, mother, and three siblings. Prompted by her mother’s words, she idolizes her older sister who supposedly escaped her reality by “finding a good man” on the barges that ply the region. As Tielle matures, her idealized visions shatter, leaving her trapped between two abusive environments. Increasingly worried about her younger sister and the bleak future they face, she decides to confront the oppressive system that controls her family and the women in their community.
“Manas leaves you stunned, for the story it tells, for how it tells it, and for the piercing performances of its actors.” – Cineuropa
“It is beautifully constructed, with the cinematography in particular being a highlight.” – International Cinephile Society
“It’s a film that isn’t afraid to be bold and shocking, heartbreaking and infuriating in equal measure.” – Loud and Clear Reviews
“Signals the emergence of a truly remarkable filmmaker.” – Luc Dardenne, two-time Palme d’Or winner (Rosetta, L’Enfant)
