Jonathas has been adopted but then returned due to his 'different' way. Inspired by true events.

Interview with Writer/Director Carolina Markowicz

Watch The Orphan here:

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

Thanks! A friend of mine who is a social assistant told me about stories of kids who were adopted and then returned due to the reason that the film shows. I was shocked and moved by that, so I wanted to tell this story that I thought was almost unbelievable.

Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?

Because it shows a case that you wouldn't believe could be real, but some Brazilian adopted kids have been through that, so it's important to be aware of this sad situation that some children unfortunately go through.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

I guess the struggle to be accepted "the way you are" affects me and maybe many people that I know, at some point. This lack of belonging, I guess, is part of everybody's life in some moments. But, of course, to Jonathas, the main character, this struggle is on another level.

How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?

When Kauan, the main actor, was chosen for the part, I guess I tried to adapt a lot to what I felt could be more interesting coming from him. He is a young genius.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

Greater that I could ever dream of. It premiered at the Director's Fortnight in Cannes, won the Queer Palm, has been in festivals like Locarno, TiFF, AFI, Guajanuato and won many prizes, and has gotten beautiful critics and audience reactions. I couldn’t be more grateful and honored about the film's trajectory.

What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?

I was lucky enough to be invited to Factory, the session that invites 5 international Directors to partner up with 5 local ones (this year will be in South Eastern Europe) to produce a short that will be screened in Cannes, at the Director's Fortnight 2019, so I'll shoot this new film in March. And also I'm working on my first feature, When My Life Was My Life, to be shot in the second semester of 2019.

Interview: January 2019

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The Orphan

Jonathas has been adopted but then returned due to his 'different' way. Inspired by true events.

Length: 15:00

Director: Carolina Markowicz

Producer: Yourmama Films

Writer: Carolina Markowicz

About the writer, director, and producer:

CAROLINA MARKOWICZ is a screenwriter and director from São Paulo. She has written and directed 5 short films. “69-Luz Square”, won best short at Festival do Rio and was screened at MoMa-NY. “Tatuapé Mahal Tower” premiered at TIFF'14, where Carolina was considered one of the "5 filmmakers to watch" by curator Shane Smith at Co-Create. It has been selected to more than 200 festivals. Now online, it was considered to be among the best animations of 2017 at Vimeo Staff Picks. “Long Distance Relationship”, world premiere at TIFF '17, and in the USA at SXSW 2018. "The Orphan" premiered at Director’s Fortnight – Cannes 2018, and won the Queer Palm. Her 1st feature Project, “When My Life Was My Life” is currently raising funds.

Key cast: Kauan Alvarenga, Clarisse Abujamra, Georgina Castro, Ivo Muller, Julia Costa

Facebook: The Orphan

Where can I watch it next and in the coming month?

Flickerfest, London Short Film Festival