A recommendation: The Blue Trail from Brazil

“What are you going to do in Itacoatioca?” “I’m going to secure my place in heaven.” This indie film gem from Brazil has remained on my mind since first watching it one year ago. After playing at film festivals over the last year and a half, it’s finally opening in US theaters playing in art house cinemas around the country. The Blue Trail (also known as O Último Azul in Portuguese) is the latest film directed by Brazilian filmmaker Gabriel Mascaro. It’s an enchanting, unforgettable journey deep into the Amazon rainforest in Brazil. The story follows an elderly woman who decides to escape her fate and drift around the Amazon river looking to rediscover life and freedom. Beloved Brazilian actress Denise Weinberg stars as Tereza, who is not yet ready to give up on life and shut down and head towards the end. She has more life to live! She has more places to see! I wrote in my review (Opens in a new window) of the film from the Karlovy Vary Film Festival: “Similar to the other recent beloved minimalistic story about an older person, Perfect Days, the film is an enchanting tale of rediscovering the magic and joy of the simple things in life no matter how old you are. And always appreciating the freedom to enjoy living on this planet.” Along the way she meets another boat captain living on his own terms who introduces her to a psychedelic blue liquid secreted from snails - which she tries out for herself. This is where the title comes from “The Blue Trail” - not only referencing the meandering Amazon river that she follows but also where life can take you when you let yourself open up the others sides of this world that we usually ignore. It’s a beautiful, inspiring, empowering film to discover.

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In an effort to boost the economy, the Brazilian government creates distant colonies for the elderly, ensuring them a comfortable end to their lives. Teresa, a 77-year-old finds herself unexpectedly included due to a lowered age threshold. With only days left before her relocation, she decides to defy her fate and embarks on a journey into the Amazon to fulfill one last wish: to take her first airplane ride. She secretly embarks on a boat trip as an illicit passenger and has numerous encounters along the way. Despite setbacks and near failures to her plans, she is able to use her life's savings to find happiness. The Blue Trail is directed by Gabriel Mascaro and written by Gabriel Mascaro and Tibério Azul. It premiered at the 2025 Berlin Film Festival and played at many other festivals around the world throughout 2025 - and is now arriving to watch (Opens in a new window) in the US. I want to bring attention to this film, and other films like this, because they’re the real meaningful discoveries within cinema. Truly invigorating, unique, vivid works of cinema that explore what it means to be alive, taking us on a journey into a world we’re not usually familiar with. Along with the performances in the film, including another standout role by Miriam Socarras as Roberta, the best part of the film is the cinematography (shot by DP Guillermo Garza). I was in awe watching all of these gorgeous shots of the Amazon river and how perfectly composed and lush they are. Every single one of them. How did they even get these shot in the middle of such a dense rainforest? How did they make it all look so natural and so radiant? Maybe this film has the power to change the lives of many viewers. Perhaps some will watch this and come out of thinking they need to drift down the Amazon (or some other unique destination), too. That’s ultimately the real magic of unforgettable cinema - and I’m always hoping to encounter these kind of wonderful films. Please watch this one.

For more on the film + theater listings, visit the film’s official site (Opens in a new window).