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Se eu fosse vivo... vivia

If I Were Alive
Panorama 2026
© Janine Moraes
Brazil, the 1970s. Contagem is still a growing town and the home of a young couple in love. Gilberto asks for Jacira’s forgiveness just before an unexpected encounter changes the course of their lives. Fifty years later, Gilberto and Jacira are still together. A charismatic and gentle couple in their mid-seventies, they lead a happy life despite the health problems that come with age, sharing almost all of their daily activities side by side. When Jacira is suddenly hospitalised, Gilberto begins to experience disturbing events – in a spiral through time and space – that lead him towards the unknown.
by André Novais Oliveira (Director, Screenplay)
with Conceição Evaristo, Norberto Novais Oliveira, Jean Paulo Campos, Tainá Evaristo Brazil 2026 Portuguese 101' Colour World premiere

With

  • Conceição Evaristo (Jacira)
  • Norberto Novais Oliveira (Gilberto)
  • Jean Paulo Campos (Young Gilberto)
  • Tainá Evaristo (Young Jacira)

Crew

Director André Novais Oliveira
Screenplay André Novais Oliveira
Cinematography Leonor Teles
Editing Gabriel Martins, André Novais Oliveira
Music Metá Metá
Sound Design Pablo Lamar
Production Design Diogo Hayashi
Costumes Diana Moreira
Make-Up Marina Sandim
Casting André Novais Oliveira, Germano Melo, Ricardo Alves Jr.
Producer Thiago Macêdo Correia
Executive Producer Thiago Macêdo Correia

Produced by

Filmes de Plástico

Belo Horizonte, Brazil

Photos

André Novais Oliveira

© Leticia Marotta

Born in 1984. The director’s films have been selected for Cannes, Locarno, Durban and Jeonju. His work has also been studied at several universities, including NYU and San Diego. His short film Fantasmas has been recognised as one of the most influential Brazilian short films of the century. He is also a published author and is currently preparing for the release of his second book, a collection of short stories.

Filmography (Selection)

2010 Fantasmas (Ghosts); short film 2011 Domingo (Sunday); short documentary 2013 Pouco Mais de Um Mês (About a Month); short film 2014 Ela Volta na Quinta (She Comes Back on Thursday) 2015 Quintal; short film 2018 Temporada (Long Way Home) 2022 Rua Ataléia (Ataleia Street); short documentary 2023 Nossa Mãe Era Atriz (Our Mother Was an Actress); short documentary · O Dia Que Te Conheci (The Day I Met You) 2024 Quando Aqui (Whenever Here); short film 2026 Se eu fosse vivo... vivia (If I Were Alive); Berlinale 2026

Bio- & filmography as of Berlinale 2026