The Trespasser

Colour, 35mm
Brazil, 2001, 97 min
Section: Another View

Synopsis

Estevao, Ivan and Gilberto studied construction engineering together at university and they have now been co-owners of an important construction company for fifteen years. Problems start when Estevao, a major share-holder in the company, decides that he no longer wants to work with his former fellow-students. Ivan and Gilberto resolve the situation by agreeing to get rid of him. Hired assassin Anisio is not satisfied merely with a financial reward and plans to improve his social status. He becomes more and more involved in the lives of Ivan and Gilberto and, in order to get what he wants, he befriends the young, trusting Marina, the daughter of the murdered Estevao. Set in Sao Paulo, the story points to the violence which is an everyday part of life in the big city, as a backdrop to the portrayal of friendship, power, ambition and betrayal. The film won Best Director, Best Music, Best Actor and the Critics’ Award at the Brazilian Film Festival, and Best Film from the Latin-American film jury at the Berlin IFF.

About the director

Beto Brant (b. 1964, Sao Paulo) studied film at Fundacao Amrando Alvares Penreado in Sao Paulo. His short films Aurora (1987), Where Is Meneghetti (1989, Dov´e Meneghetti) and Eternity (1991, Eternidad) won a number of awards at Brazilian film festivals, and the black-and-white film Job (1993) won the prize for Best Short Film at the Havana IFF. The feature Among Friends (1998, Acao Entre Amigos) won Best Actor at the Chicago IFF, Best Film at the Festival of Latin-American Films in Providence (Rhode Island, USA), and was screened in competition at the Venice IFF in 1998 and the Rotterdam IFF in 1999.