Arquivo / 49ª mostra

Documentary on the life of Benedita da Silva, the first black woman to be admitted to the Brazilian Senate. The plot follows along from Benedita?s childhood in the Rio shantytowns all the way to success in a political career. The film focusses on work done with the needy population, their religious beliefs and small details from day-to-day life. She sings, dances, laughs, cries, prays, recites poetry, and makes political speeches. Co-Director Maria Luisa Mendonça is also author of a book on Benedita, written in partnership with Medea Benjamin.