Brazilian Film Ocean Of Mothers Premieres In Dubai, Celebrating Female Friendship And Motherhood

The Brazilian short film "Ocean of Mothers" was showcased in Dubai on Thursday evening. The event saw the presence of actress Sabrina Petraglia, who currently resides in the UAE, screenwriter Thaís Vilarinho, and Brazil’s Ambassador to Abu Dhabi, Sidney Leon Romero. Before the screening, Petraglia shared with Emirates News Agency (WAM) that the film delves into women's relationships, focusing on sisterhood rather than motherhood.

Sidney Leon Romero emphasised that the film's Dubai screening highlights the vibrancy of Brazilian audiovisual production. He noted the numerous ongoing projects and emerging talents like Thaís Vilarinho and Thaís Poeta. "Cinema and entertainment have the power to connect cultures," he stated. Romero also mentioned plans to expand cultural activities in the UAE by 2025.

"Ocean of Mothers" tells the story of three friends—Thaís, Erika, and Zilda—bonding through motherhood in Santos, Brazil. Despite life's challenges and busy routines, their friendship provides strength and support. The film touches on universal themes such as maternal identity loss, mental health, and support networks' importance.

Sabrina Petraglia, a mother of three living in Dubai since moving from Brazil, revealed that a conversation with Thaís Vilarinho inspired the film's concept. Vilarinho is known for her bestseller "Mãe Fora da Caixa," which inspired a stage play and has over a million social media followers. She co-wrote the screenplay with Thaís Poetha.

While visiting Dubai, Thaís Vilarinho highlighted that although motherhood is central to the film, it primarily celebrates women's friendships. She believes it resonates universally despite cultural differences between Brazil and the UAE. "I think mothers will see their lives reflected on screen," she said.

Vilarinho stressed breaking down romanticised ideals of motherhood to offer a clearer perspective on its realities and wonders. "When we have the freedom to talk about it, we connect with other women," she explained. According to her, dismantling idealised views allows for lightness and awakens potential within every woman.

Empowering Women Through Honest Narratives

Sabrina Petraglia underscored individual fulfilment alongside motherhood's importance for family cohesion. "We abandon ourselves," she noted but warned against neglecting personal goals as it could lead to unhappiness affecting family dynamics.

Both Thaís and Sabrina hope their film encourages women to support each other while fostering empathy among partners by presenting an honest narrative about motherhood. "The message of the film is: look around you... don’t judge her because you don’t know what she’s going through," Sabrina concluded.

Ambassador Romero expressed that events like this serve as cultural bridges fostering mutual understanding across fields. He revealed plans for more exhibitions featuring diverse artistic expressions such as music or dance meeting growing demand from both local Brazilians reconnecting with Brazil or Emiratis seeking greater engagement with Brazilian culture.

With inputs from WAM