In Tropical Alien’s third interview, we talk with directors Clarissa Campolina and Sérgio Borges about “Suçuarana” (2024), a road movie that follows Dora, a woman who has spent recent years on the road searching for a lost land that she and her mother dreamed of so much. Guided by a mysterious dog, she crosses a territory in ruins devastated by mining until finding refuge in a community that reminds her of the home she seeks so much.
In the conversation, the directors reveal how the film was born from reading Henry James’ novella “The Beast in the Jungle” in 2012, going through a long development process of 12 years. They discuss the choice to start the narrative in the middle of Dora’s journey, already established for 10 years on the road, and how this decision strengthened the identity of the silent character in constant movement.
Clarissa and Sérgio also address the construction of the character Encrenca, the dog that accompanies Dora as an element of magical realism, mirroring the protagonist’s own solitude and transformation. The directors explain how they created a ritual with masks specifically for the film, respecting the tradition of the Guarda de Moçambique from Ouro Preto that participated in the filming.
Based on Henry James’ novella, “Suçuarana” was filmed in Minas Gerais locations, including the roads around Belo Horizonte and the almost abandoned village of Bico de Pedra, in Ouro Preto. The film reflects on the unfulfilled promises of progress and territorial abandonment that marks the history of Minas Gerais.
The duo also comments on discovering Sinara Teles for the role of Dora, the importance of the creative partnership developed in the Teia collective (2002-2014), and closes the interview with recommendations for Brazilian films, highlighting “Iracema, A Trans-Amazonian”, “The Hour of the Star” and “My Caiowá Father”.
The complete interview is available on Tropical Alien’s YouTube channel, offering a detailed conversation about the creative process and behind-the-scenes of this decade-long project.
Credits – Suçuarana
Direction: Clarissa Campolina and Sérgio Borges
Screenplay: Clarissa Campolina and Rodrigo Oliveira
Production: Luana Melgaço
Executive Production: Luana Melgaço and Mariana Melo
Assistant Direction: Paula Santos
Executive Production Coordination: Mariana Mól
Production Management: Luna Gomides
Production Company: Anavilhana
Distribution: Embaúba
Cast: Sinara Teles, Carlos Francisco, Tony Stark, Guarda de Moçambique Nossa Senhora do Rosário e Santa Efigênia de Ouro Preto, Hélio Ricardo, Andréia Quaresma, Elba Rocha, Rafael Botero, Docy Moreira, Kelly Criffer, Amora Ferreira Giorni, Lenine Martins
Cinematography: Ivo Lopes Araujo
Art Direction: Thaís Campos
Costume Design: Marina Sandim
Location Sound: Gustavo Fioravante
Sound Design and Mixing: Pablo Lamar
Original Score: Ajítenà Marco Scarassati, Djalma Corrêa
Editing: Luiz Pretti
Colorist: Lucas Campolina
