Elena

Sep 1 2012 N/A 1h 20m
Biography, Documentary, Drama

Petra heads to New York in search of her older sister after a long time of being separated. They are both movie actresses and heirs of the wounds of the Brazilian dictatorship. But Petra has only a few clues: home movies, newspaper clippings, a diary...

Plot

Elena, a young Brazilian woman, travels to New York with the same dream as her mother, to become a movie actress. She leaves behind her childhood spent in hiding during the years of the military dictatorship. She also leaves Petra, her seven year old sister. Two decades later, Petra also becomes an actress and goes to New York in search of Elena. She only has a few clues about her: home movies, newspaper clippings, a diary and letters. At any moment Petra hopes to find Elena walking in the streets in a silk blouse. Gradually, the features of the two sisters are confused; we no longer know one from the other. When Petra finally finds Elena in an unexpected place, she has to learn to let her go.

Written by

Petra Costa, Carolina Ziskind

Directed by

Petra Costa

Production Countries

Brazil, United States of America

Production Companies

Wide House, Tribeca Film Institute, JustFilms / Ford Foundation

Languages

English, Português

Awards

12 wins & 10 nominations

Scores
# of Votes
2,202
Average Rating
7.5 out of 10
Metascore
81
Popularity
NA