Mars One 2023

The film centers around a family of four residing in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. At the heart of the story is the youngest member, Deivinho (Cícero Lucas), who stands on the brink of adolescence. With a vibrant imagination and a thirst for knowledge, Deivinho aspires to become an astrophysicist and dreams of joining the Mars One mission set for 2030, aiming to initiate the colonization of the red planet. While his ambitions drive the narrative, the film generously explores the dynamics between all family members.

His older sister, Eunice (Camilla Damião), is nearing adulthood and finds herself constrained by traditional family expectations, yearning for more than just domestic life. Although deeply loving towards her family, she struggles against societal norms and embarks on a romantic relationship with another young woman, all while grappling with the fear of disclosing this to her conservative father, Wellington (Carlos Francisco).

The unfolding drama primarily revolves around the children’s interactions with their father, a man who balances being affectionate and emotionally present with moments of temper. Wellington harbors his own aspirations, often imposing them on his children; having once been a passionate footballer, he insists that Deivinho plays soccer, a game to which the boy feels indifferent, engaging only to appease his father. The family’s financial situation is precarious, with Wellington laboring long hours in pool cleaning and landscaping. At the beginning of the narrative, he celebrates four years of sobriety, adding depth to his character.

Tercia (Rejane Faria), their mother, often takes on the role of peacemaker within the household. She, too, works tirelessly outside the home, providing as a housekeeper to support the family. Her challenges escalate when she becomes the target of a hidden camera prank, involving a seemingly unhinged man detonating a dummy stick of dynamite in a diner near her, triggering a series of unfortunate incidents that lead her to believe she is cursed, introducing a touch of dark comedy into the narrative.

As tensions rise within the family, a pivotal conflict emerges. Wellington loses his temper in front of Eunice’s new girlfriend, Joana (portrayed by Ana Hilãrio), prompting Eunice to formulate plans to leave home. Meanwhile, Deivinho finds himself at a crossroads: his father insists on a soccer tryout after a footballer, Juan Pablo Sorin, invites him, but Deivinho has planned to attend a science fair featuring renowned astrophysicist Neil DeGrasse Tyson on the same day. Strikingly, the day before the tryout, Deivinho breaks his leg while riding a bicycle and ends up sidelined from both events.

Simultaneously, Wellington faces his own impending crisis; his affluent employer requests him to care for her plants and pets while she vacations, resulting in the need to leave for work early two days prior to the tryout. Trusting his coworker, Flávio (Russo Apr), with the keys, Wellington soon returns to discover that the apartment has been ransacked and stripped of all valuables, leading to his firing.

Upon returning home to deliver the devastating news of his job loss, Wellington finds that his son’s soccer tryout opportunity is also lost. Overwhelmed by frustration, he lashes out, cursing in front of his family despite attempts from Eunice and Tercia to calm him. As darkness descends, Wellington succumbs to heavy drinking. The film reaches a poignant climax with his journey toward redemption; he attends an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting with his wife and daughter by his side. He extends an olive branch to Eunice, allowing her to apologize to Joana, although Eunice suggests he should apologize as well.

In a touching conclusion, the family gathers around Deivinho’s homemade telescope to gaze at Mars. During this moment of connection, Wellington inquires about the distance to the planet and expresses his desire to visit, reassuring his son with the words, > “we’ll find a way.” Through these heartfelt exchanges, the film beautifully encapsulates the complexities of familial love, aspirations, and the quest for understanding amidst the challenges of life.