This Woman Is An Island: No Regrets, Just Living Life And
Beating Back Its Challenges, On Her Own Terms
The Popcorn Reel Movie Review: "Suely In The Sky" ("aka Love For Sale")
By Omar P.L. Moore/August 10, 2007
(Note: portions of the following are taken from the editor's
original capsule review of the film, which screened at the 50th San Francisco
International Film Festival earlier this year.)
Vibrant, erotic and colorful, "Suely In The Sky" (aka
"Love For Sale") features charismatic performances (particularly from Hermila
Guedes), great music and superb cinematography by Walter Carvalho. A tidy
narrative and breathtaking landscapes fill up an economical hour and a half.
A story rich with heart, texture and sorrow, director Karim Ainouz hits a grand
slam home run (which will make no sense to you if you know little about the sport of
baseball. So if you don't, all you need to know is that this film is a good
one.)
The overtones about a single woman determined to make it against the odds, and
without a man, are reminiscent of numerous films, most notably Alfonso Cuaron's
"Y Tu Mama Tambien". Hermila (Guedes) is a single mother who wants to
change her daily life and move away far away from the Brazilian town in which
she lives. She takes numerous avenues to reach the desired boulevard, and
not a little of it is paved with emptiness and despair. The film's final
shot and the colorful blue background for the end credits, are priceless.
Suely in the sky with diamonds: Hermila Guedes
(right) as Hermila, in Karim Ainouz's film "Suely In The Sky" ("Love For Sale"),
which opened in New York City today. (Photo courtesy of San Francisco Film
Society)
If anything, "Suely In The Sky", which opened today in New York City, makes the
character of Hermila the sole arbiter of her own sexuality, and while what she
does may turn off some viewers or at least make them feel less sympathetic
towards her, it is a refreshing element in cinema when a women is able to
control her own destiny without a man having dictates over it. Ultimately
Hermila has a lot of power, not just over men but also over herself. She
is a brave and lonely figure, but by the time the credits arrive, you sense that
she has complete peace of mind about where she is headed in her life, even if
you may not be satisfied with the journey she has chosen to take.
"Suely In The Sky" (aka "Love For Sale"), also goes by the name O Ceu de
Suely. The film is in the Portuguese language with English subtitles.
The film is not rated by the Motion Picture Association of America, but it
contains very strong sexual content, nudity, mild violence and language.
The film which was made and produced in Brazil, Germany, Portugal and France
in 2006, has a duration of one hour and 28 minutes.
Copyright The Popcorn Reel. PopcornReel.com. 2007. All Rights
Reserved.