Watch Elena

Elena is a 2012 film directed by Brazilian filmmaker Petra Costa, and produced by Busca Vida Filmes. The film follows the life of Elena Andrade, Petra's older sister, who moved to New York to become an actress in the 1980s and died by suicide in 1990. The film is structured as a personal documentary, combining family footage shot by Petra's father, archival material from Elena's life, and contemporary footage shot by Petra during her visits to New York City. The film is a deeply emotional exploration of grief, memory, and the bond between two sisters.

Through the film, we see Elena's dreams and struggles as an artist, her longing for a sense of belonging in New York, and her ultimately fatal battle with depression. Petra also explores her own feelings of loss and guilt, as she was only a child when Elena died and never had the opportunity to know her sister as an adult.

The film is a visual masterpiece, with stunning cinematography and a haunting score by Brazilian composer Fabio Trummer. It is also a poignant and deeply personal exploration of the human experience of loss, grief, and memory.

Throughout the film, we see Elena's hopes and dreams as an actress, her struggle to make ends meet in a foreign city, and her gradual descent into depression. Yet, even as her struggle becomes more and more difficult, Elena remains a force of love and inspiration in the lives of those closest to her.

The film is a testament to the power of storytelling and the resilience of the human spirit. Through her memories of Elena, Petra finds a way to understand and cope with her own feelings of loss and grief, and to come to terms with a tragedy that has haunted her for most of her life.

Elena is a beautifully crafted and deeply moving film that should be on every cinephile's list of must-see movies. It is not just a powerful portrait of a talented young artist, but also a meditation on the nature of longing, love, and loss. If you're looking for a film that will move you to tears and give you a sense of hope and renewal, Elena is definitely worth watching.