Superheroes, unlikely loves and stories crossed by war mark this week’s debuts on the big screen
Gabriele Lisboa
The last Thursday of June arrives with different premieres in cinemas across Brazil. The day brings together a major production from the DC universe, a Brazilian drama set in the interior of Goiás, a Chinese novel about guilt and redemption, a Lebanese love story that spans three decades and a German war drama set in the final days of the Second World War.
With very different genres and origins, this Thursday’s premieres have something for every type of viewer. Check it out!
1. Supergirl
The most famous Kryptonian heroine of all time comics finally gets his own film in the new DC Universe. Directed by Craig Gillespie and written by Ana Nogueira, the film is based on the acclaimed comic book “Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow”, written by Tom King and illustrated by Brazilian artist Bilquis Evely.
Kara Zor-El, played by Milly Alcock, survived the collapse of Krypton at the age of 14 and now, at 21, still bears the consequences of that destruction. Her journey takes her beyond the known planets, to solar systems without the influence of the yellow sun — which neutralizes her powers and puts her in situations of extreme danger. Matthias Schoenaerts plays the villain Krem, Eve Ridley plays the alien Ruthye Marie Knoll and Jason Momoa appears as the bounty hunter Lobo.
2. Only Good Things
O drama Brazilian Written and directed by Daniel Nolasco, it is set in the interior of Goiás, in the rural region of Batalha das Neves, in 1984. Antônio is a lonely and introspective cowboy who leads a peaceful life on his small farm, with animals as his only company. Everything changes when Marcelo, a lonely biker, has an accident on the nearby road and is taken in by him. From the unexpected encounter, an overwhelming and transformative passion is born that destabilizes and causes profound ruptures in each of them. Lucas Drummond, Fernando Libonati and Liev Carlos are in the cast.
3. The Sun Rises for Everyone
The Chinese drama directed and written by Cai Shangjun follows a former couple united by a secret that marked them forever: he took the blame for a crime she committed and spent years in prison. Upon returning to civilian life, the man is faced with a world full of illusory forgiveness and resentful love, while the couple’s paths continue to cross in unexpected ways, bringing to the surface feelings that time has failed to erase. Zhang Songwen, Zhilei Xin and Feng Shaofeng star in the film.
4. A Sad and Beautiful World
O drama romantic directed and written by Cyril Aris follows Nino and Yasmina through three decades of a love story marked by disappointment, hope and the brutal reality of Lebanon. Faced with the tragedies that are plaguing the country, the two have to choose between loving each other or fighting for their own survival — and the answer is not simple. Mounia Akl and Hassan Akil star in the film, with Julia Kassar and Camille Salameh in the supporting cast.
5. A German Childhood
Directed by Fatih Akın from a script by the director himself in partnership with Hark Bohm, the German war drama takes place in the final weeks of World War II on the reclusive island of Amrum. Nanning, a 12-year-old boy, leads a hard but somehow peaceful life: hunting seals at sea, fishing at night and helping his mother feed the family on a nearby farm. Despite the difficulties, the island’s rural atmosphere almost resembles a private paradise.
When the end of the war is decreed, however, a family secret and an unexpected threat are revealed, showing that the true danger was closer than imagined. Jasper Billerbeck plays the protagonist, alongside Laura Tonke, Diane Kruger and Matthias Schweighöfer. Fun fact: the film is based on the childhood memories of screenwriter Hark Bohm himself, raised on the island of Amrum.
