Official Movie Website Theatrical Release 08/11/06 (LA/NY) 09/15/06 (St. Louis) Home Video 12/12/06 MPAA Rating Rated R for some graphic sexuality Running Time 1 hour 43 minutes Genre Drama Director Andrucha Waddington Writer Elena Soarez Cast Fernanda Montenegro, Fernanda Torres, Ruy Guerra, Seu Jorge, Luiz Melodia, Enrique Diaz, Stꮩo Garcia, Emiliano Queiroz Studio Sony Pictures Classics |
THE HOUSE OF SAND
SYNOPSIS
Áurea's saga starts in 1910, when, in pursuing a
dream she never shared, she arrives in a caravan at
a labyrinth of sand in Maranhão, northern Brazil. Her
husband, Vasco, believes this land to be prosperous
and she is condemned to a life in this barren place,
her only female company being her mother, Dona
Maria. Pregnant and dissatisfied with her destiny,
she tries everything to find a way out.
She spends 59 years living with an imminent
departure. At first Áurea is hindered by Vasco and is
forced to live in a house on the top of a dune, until
one day, alongside her mother, she witnesses the
death of her husband, buried by his own insanity.
With a mixture of both pain and relief, she believes
herself to be free. But the truth is, her fate is in the
hands of destiny.
Abandoned in the desert with her daughter, Dona
Maria goes in search of a small settlement originally
founded by runaway slaves. Here she meets Massu,
who becomes an important companion for the two
women. It is he who teaches them how to trade
belongings for food. And salt, brought from afar by
Chico, the only man able to come and go as he
pleases, and whom Áurea clings to in the hope of
leaving after she gives birth.
Áurea's saga starts in 1910, when, in pursuing a
dream she never shared, she arrives in a caravan at
a labyrinth of sand in Maranhão, northern Brazil. Her
husband, Vasco, believes this land to be prosperous
and she is condemned to a life in this barren place,
her only female company being her mother, Dona
Maria. Pregnant and dissatisfied with her destiny,
she tries everything to find a way out.
She spends 59 years living with an imminent
departure. At first Áurea is hindered by Vasco and is
forced to live in a house on the top of a dune, until
one day, alongside her mother, she witnesses the
death of her husband, buried by his own insanity.
With a mixture of both pain and relief, she believes
herself to be free. But the truth is, her fate is in the
hands of destiny.
Abandoned in the desert with her daughter, Dona
Maria goes in search of a small settlement originally
founded by runaway slaves. Here she meets Massu,
who becomes an important companion for the two
women. It is he who teaches them how to trade
belongings for food. And salt, brought from afar by
Chico, the only man able to come and go as he
pleases, and whom Áurea clings to in the hope of
leaving after she gives birth.
© 2003 St. Louis Movie Review Weekly. All rights reserved, except where indicated.
All movie titles, pictures, etc...are the property of their respective studios.
All movie titles, pictures, etc...are the property of their respective studios.
| ST. LOUIS MOVIE REVIEW WEEKLY |
A girl is born, also called Maria. Nine years pass and Dona Maria is the first to realize that there is some
sense to that place. But Áurea remains stubborn, only waiting for her daughter to grow up in order to face
the journey. The possibility of realizing her greatest wish comes to life again with the return of the salt
salesman. Just as everything seems set, Massu surprises them all by hindering their departure.
Desperate, Áurea runs across the sandy plains after Chico. Instead of finding him, she encounters
Lieutenant Luiz, a young guide leading a group of scientists researching of the total solar eclipse in the
region. In an emotional passage she is able to rescue her feelings, rediscover sex and is given a chance
to restart her life. However, once again, circumstances beyond her will force Áurea to remain on the
sandy plains. Alongside Massu, she discovers that she does belong here, after all.
--© Sony Pictures Classics
sense to that place. But Áurea remains stubborn, only waiting for her daughter to grow up in order to face
the journey. The possibility of realizing her greatest wish comes to life again with the return of the salt
salesman. Just as everything seems set, Massu surprises them all by hindering their departure.
Desperate, Áurea runs across the sandy plains after Chico. Instead of finding him, she encounters
Lieutenant Luiz, a young guide leading a group of scientists researching of the total solar eclipse in the
region. In an emotional passage she is able to rescue her feelings, rediscover sex and is given a chance
to restart her life. However, once again, circumstances beyond her will force Áurea to remain on the
sandy plains. Alongside Massu, she discovers that she does belong here, after all.
--© Sony Pictures Classics