Filmmakers Juliana Rojas and Marco Dutra’s second collaboration (after the acclaimed Hard Labor) deftly integrates art-house and genre cinema to create a thrilling and dark gothic fable with sharp social commentary.
Set in São Paulo, the film follows Clara, a lonely nurse from the outskirts of the city who is hired by mysterious and wealthy Ana to be the nanny of her soon to be born child. Against all odds, the two women develop a strong bond. But a fateful night marked by a full moon changes their plans.
With powerful visuals and impeccable cinematography by Zama’s Rui Poças, Good Manners is Disney meets Jacques Tourneur. The film becomes an unexpected and wild werewolf movie unlike any other, and a poignant social and racial allegory on modern-day Brazilian society.
“An unnerving werewolf tale that explores themes of motherhood and otherness, sometimes suggesting a retelling of Frankenstein. But with a werewolf. Yet for all the blood and gore, this is a quiet, gentle story…” —Village Voice
“Good Manners” is an ambitious work not only in scope but design, influenced by Jacques Tourneur’s psychological horror noirs.” —Variety
“A hybrid of art-house and genre cinema, combining sharp social commentary with grand guignol fantasy.” —Hollywood Reporter
“Good Manners is a lyrical fable on how we treat others, how we raise good children, and how the world too often turns against us.” —ScreenAnarchy
“Pulling off an ambitious mash-up of genres like “Good Manners” is no easy feat – that Dutra and Rojas pull it off so successfully suggests we’ll be hearing a lot more from them down the road.” —The Playlist
“Genre defying and genuinely unexpected, this intriguing urban fairytale takes the mythology of the werewolf story and uses it as a prism through which to view contemporary Brazilian society.” —Screen International
“Rui Poças’ impressionistic cinematography frequently conjures the beauty and sensuality inherent in the best horror pictures.” —Movie City News
“A perfect storm of misfortune.” —Digital Journal
“A solid horror film... At each step along the way, kindness shines through.” —Movie Habit
Locarno IFF 2017 – Competition – Special Jury Prize
Vladivostok IFF 2017
Maskoon Fantastic FF 2017 – Best Fantastic Films of the year Section
Athens IFF 2017 – After Hours Section
Austin Fantastic FF 2017 – Competition – Jury Special Mention
Biarritz IFF 2017 – Jury Special Mention
CPH PIX 2017 – Thrills and Kills’ Section
Vancouver IFF 2017 – World Contemporary Cinema
BFI London IFF 2017 – Competition
Haifa IFF 2017 – Midnight Madness Section
Sitges IFF 2017 – Fantastic Competition Section – Critics’ Jury Award & Blood Window Special Mention for Best Actress (Isabél Zuaa)
Rio IFF 2017 – Competition – Best Film, Best supporting actress for Marjorie Estiano, Best cinematography for Rui Poças, Fipresci Award, Felix Award for the Best LGBTQ Film
Busan IFF 2017 – World Cinema Section
AFI IFF 2017 – Midnight Screening
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