Hope Ways

Hope Ways (2023) is a comedy, documentary film directed by Miguel Batista.

Amid the 2019 drought in Brazil’s Northeast, Madalena loses her mother in a tragic event that changes her life. Alone, she joins a rebellion at the Grajaú farm in Canudos, where a community rises against government neglect. A violent State response turns their hope into sorrow. Later, journalist Júlia returns to uncover the truth, hearing from people like Lúcia, a grieving mother. As Júlia investigates, hidden stories emerge: Madalena's forbidden love with rebel João and Pedro's thirst for revenge after losing his father to political violence. Their paths cross in a tale of justice, pain, and redemption. Inspired by Ariano Suassuna, famed for "A Dog’s Will", this short film is a prelude to "A Pena e a Lei", created by 9th-grade students from Escola SESI Cambona, in Maceió, Brazil. It was screened at the SESI Festival of Art and Culture in July 2023, touching audiences with its emotional and socially conscious narrative.

Cast

Renatha Vieira

Madalena/Marieta

Nathália Cândido

Júlia

Eduarda Amorim

Lúcia

Yago Santos

Pedro

Lavínia Demésio

Narradora

Miguel Batista

Narrador

Lucas Braga

João Conselheiro

Pedro Luís

Jonas Freccia

Vinícius Teixeira

Lúcio Coqueiro

Lucas Braga

Pedro's Father

Ana Bella Costa

Additional Voice

Vitória Caetano

Additional Voice