Hivos Tiger Awards Competition screening - short review - CASA GRANDE by Fellipe Barbosa

Fellipe Barbosa takes us in the midst of a domestic financial crisis in Brazil that leads to the emotional and socio-political awakening of a young boy who lived in a bubble, protected by his parents’ care and wealth al this time. In particular, this awakening of sorts is triggered by the fact that the family can no longer afford to hire a driver to take him to school and he must take the bus, which leads him to meet a girl and fall in love. Through a comedic vehicle with slight domestic drama structure, Barbosa deals with issues such as racism and uneven economic split in Brazil. Casa Grande is in fact entertaining but nevertheless retains some very interesting and more compelling elements that add substance to its fun superficiality.