Through its main couple, Private Desert depicts two sides dealing with masculine repression. The first side shown is Daniel’s, who was born and raised in a military family, but who doesn’t meet the same standards his father met because of this dishonorable dismissal. But what’s interesting about Private Desert is its second side, that of Sara’s. Her ghosting Daniel becomes the impetus for him to finally embrace his vulnerability, but the film’s reveal to Sara’s perspective delivers serious stakes that thankfully opens up Daniel to the desires he didn’t know he had. Admittedly, the script is rather uneven, focusing more on Daniel’s development, but it’s rather refreshing to see someone like Sara so sure with her wants despite the societal pressures. Private Desert captures how healing this love can be through breathtaking, simmering emotion.
"This Brazilian drama is a welcome and assured intervention into that country's calcified ideals about desire and masculinity."
— Manuel Betancourt
40-year-old Daniel has been suspended from active police work and is under internal investigation for violence. When Sara, his internet love affair, stops answering his texts he decides to drive north in search of her, starting on what is apparently a fool's errand. He shows Sara's picture around, but nobody seems to recognize the woman. Until eventually one guy pops up, saying he can put the two in touch under very specific conditions.
After a violent incident that gets him suspended, former policeman Daniel has nothing left, except his online romance with Sara, who he’s never met in person. When she suddenly disappears, Daniel drives across the country to find her.
The first 30 minutes can seem a bit slow, but it’s a necessary foundation to set up how out of touch Daniel is with his emotions.
Why did it have to end that way, though?
Venice
1 win
