Offside

This film (drama)Also known asLinha de Passe，is aBrazilProducerwomen sex，At2008Released in year 。The dialogue language isPortuguese，Current Douban rating7.8(For reference only)。

"Offside" has become one of the most anticipated art films of 2008. The film has just been released and has already won four international awards. Set against the backdrop of São Paulo, a city in turmoil, "Linha de Passe" follows the daily lives of a single mother and her four half-brothers from the lower strata of society, reflecting numerous issues in Brazilian society: religion, violence, crime, racial discrimination, single-parent households... The film portrays the helplessness and despair that this impoverished country brings to its people, describing the struggles and difficulties of the poor who are unwilling yet powerless to fight for survival. The film depicts the difficult lives of a working-class family in the football kingdom of Brazil. The central character is a single mother in middle age with four sons and another child on the way. Three of the sons are nearing adulthood. The eldest, Dario (played by de Oliveira, who also starred in "Central Station"), is quite talented in football and is facing a crucial turning point in life. However, at 18, it is considered too late for him to start, and his prospects appear bleak. Dennis (played by Baldasserini) is a charming playboy with a girlfriend and is also a father to a baby boy. He works as a postman, riding an electric bike dangerously every day. The second son, Dio, is a fervent Pentecostal, working tirelessly at a gas station and neglecting family matters. The youngest, Reginaldo (played by Santos), is different from his brothers, as he dreams of finding his estranged father, a black bus driver. ◎ About the Film: The tone of "Offside" closely resembles Walter Salles' 1998 hit "Central Station." The strong ensemble cast vividly portrays the harsh realities of a hardworking mother and her unruly sons. Directors Walter Salles and Daniela Thomas previously collaborated on the 1996 film "Foreign Land" and have joined forces once again. The film features multiple interwoven storylines that seamlessly blend together, showcasing the various faces of Brazilian street life, making viewers reflect on how difficult it is to achieve both material comfort and moral purity in Brazil's largest city. Compared to other contemporary Brazilian films that are either romantically extravagant or luxuriously grand (like "City of God," "Lower City," and the award-winning "Elite Squad" at the Berlin Film Festival), this film is grounded in reality and is a simple yet profound masterpiece. It's fair to say that the film is religion-related, as in Brazil, the supreme religion is football. The directors employ numerous sports shots to create a sense of urgency, and the film's title "Offside" is also a football term. Without a doubt, every character in the film must be cautious of the life boundaries they cannot freely cross. Mauro Pinheiro's cinematography makes this gray, laboring city feel tangible. The skillful performances of the actors bring the despair and desperation of the sons' youth to life. Actor Santos looks no older than 15, tall and healthy, making quite an impact. He successfully portrays a shining moment for Reginaldo at the end of the film.