Another Love Story

Another Love Story is a modern Romeo and Juliet story, set in the favela of Rio de Janeiro, where two rival gangs fight for the hegemony. With obvious references to West Side Story and Fame, director Lucia Múrat has made an energetic dance film with a clear social engagement. Fernanda is a ballet dancer but not satisfied with dancing in large institutions. She wants to start a modern dance studio in the Maré favela, one of the most violent in Rio de Janeiro and which two rival gangs have been ravaging for generations. The goal is to draw the youths out of a spiral of violence and crime, and the gangs are generous towards the initiative. They too realise that this is good for the area and young people there. But they want something in return. To let the dance studio be a free zone, they demand that the dancers shall paint the house in the same colour as that of the gang that has the upper hand at any given time. This painting consumes a lot of time, which is time taken away from dancing. Having defectors from both gangs as members of the club, the suspense for the audience is not only how many pirouettes that are taken but also whether someone is armed or not. When a boy and a girl from each gang fall for each other, the limit of tolerance has been reached, however. Another Love Story is a both humorous and life-affirming film. It is told in a lively way while treating important subjects in an insightful manner. jo

This film is part of the Main Competition.