Fantasia '19 Film Review - The Father's Shadow

9-Year-Old Dalva (Nina Medeiros) is the de facto head of the household. Her parenting figure Aunt Cristina (Luciana Paes) has moved out to live with her fiancée Elton (Raphel Raposo) while her dad Jorge (Julio Machado) works a grueling hard labour construction job at a dangerous dusty site. Cristina has delved into the magical arts introducing Dalva to it and seeing right away that her young niece has a special gift. Dalva does the laundry, gets the groceries, cleans up the household as her dad lumbers around still mourning the death of Dalva's mother. He is not the sharpest and neglectful of his heath and the safety measure that should be followed on the job site. Dalva's only chance to be a kid occurs when she spends time with her friend Abigail (Clara Moura). They play in Abigail's room where Dalva teaches her pal some magical chants that latter directs towards her baby brother whom she sees as taking away her mothers' affection.

Writer-Director Gabriela Amaral tackles several major issues with the film. How people react to and handle a loss. The struggle of the working poor willing to take risks with their own safety for a regular income. How fragile the family dynamic can be and the loss of a parent can completely upset the balance.

Nina Medeiros is rock solid as Dava. She is in primary school yet stronger mentally and more emotionally stable that her Dad and Aunt combined. She's the reassuring voice telling Aunt Cristina that everything will be O.K. when she has a fight with her boyfriend and brings her dad to the hospital by herself when a neglected injury reaches a critical state. Luciana Paes runs the emotional range as Cristina. She is a true believer in the magical arts. Is sure she and Elton will be together forever then balling her eyes out over him the next moment. But is more stable that her brother who she advises Dalva is big and dumb like most men.

The Father's Shadow is an ambitious piece that touches on and ties together many divergent elements. Dalva uses her special gift to help her friend Abigail, her Aunt with her love life then sets her sights on a larger tasks that moves the project into horror suspense territory. Workplace safety, the plight of poor families and the ease of how children can get lost by the system are also explored. Director Amaral brings all of these elements together in a smooth structure that fits together well.

***1/2 Out of 4.

The Father's Shadow | Gabriela Amaral | Brazil | 2019 | 92 Minutes.

Tags: Death, Mourning, Magic, Social Services, Workplace Accident, Horror Movies, Zombies.