MEDUSA (2021)
MEAN GIRLS meets THE HANDMAID'S TALE in this stylish, genre-defying dystopian drama about internalized misogyny and the lure of evangelical fanaticism from Brazilian director Anita Rocha da Silveira (KILL ME PLEASE). In the not-too-distant future — or even an alternative present — a zealous girl gang hunts and assaults other women in the name of evangelicalism, shaming and punishing any young woman they deem unworthy or immoral. By day, these vicious attackers are Michele and the Treasures of the Lord, stars of a Christian pop choir and the alpha females of their evangelical church community. When Michele's best friend Mariana (Mari Oliveira, KILL ME PLEASE) is left scarred after an intended victim fights back, her self-esteem is destroyed. Fired from her job in a cosmetic surgeon's practice, she starts a new career as a nurse in a clinic for comatose patients and embarks on a mission to find a famed former actress who, years before, disappeared after being attacked and disfigured for her supposedly immoral ways. Moving between comedy, horror, sci-fi, mystery and satire with a visual and aural flair, Rocha da Silveira skewers religious fanaticism, influencer culture and the unrealistic expectations placed on women everywhere in one fell swoop. Winner, Best Latin American Film, 2021 San Sebastián International Film Festival; Winner, Ibero-American Award – Special Mention, 2022 Palm Springs International Film Festival. Official Selection, 2021 Cannes, Toronto and AFI FEST film festivals. DIR/SCR Anita Rocha da Silveira; PROD Mayra Auad, Vânia Catani, Fernanda Thurann. Brazil, 2021, color, 127 min. In Portuguese with English subtitles. NOT RATED
No AFI Member passes accepted.
Run Time: 127 Minutes
Opening Date: Friday, September 23, 2022
Genre: Thriller, drama
