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Private Desert

Play trailer 1:27 Poster for Private Desert 2022 2h 5m Drama LGBTQ+ Play Trailer Watchlist
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91% Tomatometer 34 Reviews 70% Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
"Remember when we talked about being alone in the world?" Sara is a genderfluid blue-collar worker who lives as her male birth identity Robson by day while caring for her religious grandmother in Sobradinho, a small town in the northeast of Brazil. Daniel, who teaches in a police academy in southern metropolis Curitiba, has been placed on unpaid leave after a violent incident that's all over the news. The only thing holding him together is his online romance with Sara, whom he has never met in person. When she suddenly disappears, Daniel drives 2,000 miles across Brazil to find her. He posts Sara's picture all over town but no one recognizes her, until he receives a mysterious call from someone claiming to know her and asking to meet. What follows is a journey of the heart that will change Sara and Daniel forever. In the tradition of A Fantastic Woman and Strawberry and Chocolate, the film is both a swooning sun-baked romance and a triumphant affirmation of queer love and humanity at a time when LGBTQ+ rights are increasingly imperiled everywhere. An official selection of the Venice Film Festival and Brazil's official submission to the 94th Academy Awards®, Private Desert boasts lush cinematography and a haunting atmospheric score. You'll never hear "Total Eclipse of the Heart" the same again.

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Private Desert

Private Desert

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Critics Consensus

Private Desert demands patience -- and rewards it with an affecting romance that smartly interrogates masculine stereotypes.

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Critics Reviews

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Phil Hoad Guardian 04/19/2023
4/5
There is a change of styles from the intro’s sepulchral tableaus to something more loose and fluid, and Muritiba excels at infusing his drama with subtle state-of-the-nation resonance. Go to Full Review Randy Myers San Jose Mercury News 02/01/2023
3.5/4
It’s a film field with ache and passion... it offers hope rather than unending despair. T Go to Full Review Tom Long Detroit News 11/03/2022
B
Muritaba avoids the obvious at every turn. Where Hollywood might turn a story like this into a vulgar piece of exploitation, in Private Desert both Daniel and Sara are conflicted, complex people... Go to Full Review William Stottor Loud and Clear Reviews 08/13/2024
4/5
Aly Muritiba’s Private Desert is not just an intimate, erotic story of queer love; it’s a timely, urgent film of incredible importance to both Brazilian and international societies. Go to Full Review Nuha Hassan Nuha Hassan (Medium) 09/08/2023
Muritiba shows there is humanity, love, and connectedness even despite the initial difference, but honesty and sympathy are what drive this story. Go to Full Review Ben Turner The Pink Lens 05/07/2023
3/5
It might not be a grand romance for the ages, but Private Desert is certainly a love-story with a unique hook that will live with you after the credits roll. It’s just a shame it faffs about along the way. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Livia 09/04/2022 The long introduction only sets up the tone for whatnis about to happen. Beautifully done. See more Daniel F 08/28/2022 A moving, heart breaking film that was beautifully realized and acted. This film is universal in its themes about belonging, loss, identity, societal bigotry and familial expectations. Both of the leads were extraordinary, and had amazing chemistry. A must see. See more Daniel G @DanielGodoy 03/10/2024 Love makes one blind or does one just not accept one's own instinct about whom to love? A nicely paced story that gives almost equal weight to the life challenges of 2 very diffferent protagonists who find each other. There are some plot holes and it was questionable if the policeman really didn't understand with whom he was interacting. See more Ty N @RT00523168 11/16/2023 The ending may be a stretch in terms of credibility, but it wraps the narrative effectively. See more Jerod S @jeroduptown 06/21/2023 This movie doesn't "smartly investigate masculine stereotypes". It tells the story of an internet relationship built on lies with ends with ridiculously unlikely romance. See more Saul P @AnaemicRoyalty 12/05/2022 Much more moving than I expected. The characters and performances were unfailingly believable - it's a film easily enjoyed and appreciated by all, queer and allies alike. See more Read all reviews
Private Desert

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Cast & Crew

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Aly Muritiba

Director

Antonio Saboia

Daniel

Pedro Fasanaro

Robson

Thomas Aquino

Fernando

Laila Garin

Juliana

Zezita Matos

Tereza
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Private Desert

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Movie Info

Synopsis "Remember when we talked about being alone in the world?" Sara is a genderfluid blue-collar worker who lives as her male birth identity Robson by day while caring for her religious grandmother in Sobradinho, a small town in the northeast of Brazil. Daniel, who teaches in a police academy in southern metropolis Curitiba, has been placed on unpaid leave after a violent incident that's all over the news. The only thing holding him together is his online romance with Sara, whom he has never met in person. When she suddenly disappears, Daniel drives 2,000 miles across Brazil to find her. He posts Sara's picture all over town but no one recognizes her, until he receives a mysterious call from someone claiming to know her and asking to meet. What follows is a journey of the heart that will change Sara and Daniel forever. In the tradition of A Fantastic Woman and Strawberry and Chocolate, the film is both a swooning sun-baked romance and a triumphant affirmation of queer love and humanity at a time when LGBTQ+ rights are increasingly imperiled everywhere. An official selection of the Venice Film Festival and Brazil's official submission to the 94th Academy Awards®, Private Desert boasts lush cinematography and a haunting atmospheric score. You'll never hear "Total Eclipse of the Heart" the same again.
Director
Aly Muritiba
Producer
Antonio Gonçalves Junior, Luís Galvão Teles, Gonçalo Galvão Teles, Aly Muritiba
Screenwriter
Aly Muritiba, Henrique Dos Santos
Distributor
Kino Lorber
Production Co
Anacoluto, Fado Films, Muritiba Filmes, Grafo
Genre
Drama, LGBTQ+
Original Language
Brazilian Portuguese
Release Date (Theaters)
Aug 26, 2022, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Oct 25, 2022
Box Office (Gross USA)
$32.7K
Runtime
2h 5m
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
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