TO DIE LIKE A MAN

Director João Pedro Rodrigues / 2009 / Portugal/France

João Pedro Rodrigues extends on the theme of marginalised homosexuality explored in his previous features (O Fantasma and Odete) with this stunning formalist drama.

Whipping up a stylistic mélange of Douglas Sirk and Rainer Werner Fassbinder together with a touch of magical realism, Rodrigues questions the control we ultimately have over our bodies when confronted with mortality.

Veteran drag queen Tonia is finding that life is throwing her curve balls from all directions - facing her fading ‘fabulousness' at the hands of age, and competition from younger drag queens for her regular night club gig. When her son returns home unexpectedly, having gone AWOL from his military unit, things are only bound to get more complicated.

“Risky thinking is what makes João Pedro Rodrigues Portugal's master of the cinematic demimonde.” - Toronto Film Festival


D João Pedro Rodrigues P Maria Joao Sigalho S João Pedro Rodrigues, Rui Catalao, Joao Rui Guerra da Mata WS Films Boutique L Portuguese w/English subtitles TD 35mm/2009

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