Decades after her death, filmmaker Petra Costa is still mourning the loss of her beloved sister Elena.
This is a heartbreaking premise and the documentary begins with all the promise embodied in these two young –and extremely beautiful — Brazilian-born women.
But even tho there seems to be a compelling family backstory, Costa chooses not to tell it, losing herself instead in poetic imagery. (JLH: 3/5)
NOT YET SEEN BY RICH.
Top Photo: Petra Costa is surrounded by the bright lights of Manhattan as she wanders around searching for traces of her long-lost sister Elena.
Middle Photo: Petra with Elena (who is thirteen years old when she is born).
Bottom Photo: Petra imagines Elena as Shakespeare’s Ophelia.
Photo Credits: Petra Costa
Q: Does Elena pass the Bechdel Test?
Yes. The strongest elements of Elena are Petra’s conversations with her grieving mother.