Moisture, a short film written and directed by Duda Gorter, is a visually arresting and emotionally resonant work that blends narrative and experimental elements to explore the fragile, evolving relationship between water and the world. Set in a futuristic Brazil overtaken by relentless rain, the film submerges its audience in a world where water seeps into every facet of life both literally and metaphorically. Highly acclaimed across numerous film festivals, the film stands out not only for its striking visual style but also for its poetic meditation on the wetness of existence—both environmental and emotional. Audiences will be left contemplating their own reality, as the film leaves a lingering sensory impression that the world is shaped by forces greater than themselves.
Gorter crafts a lush and immersive atmosphere through vivid cinematography (Mustapha Barat & Jacques Cheuiche), which compliments the quietly restrained, yet evocative performances. The film makes wonderful use of extreme close-ups, drawing viewers into the emotional undercurrents of each moment while maintaining a sense of intimacy. Recurring imagery of rain, water, and moisture is rendered in meticulously composed visuals, often evoking a poetic and almost tactile quality. One especially striking scene features rain falling at night with blue and yellow highlights, a moment that feels both serene and unsettling. Throughout, the visuals create a subtle tension and uneasiness, encouraging a state of reflective immersion for the audience that lingers long after the film ends.
Dr. Anne (Patrícia Niedermeier) leads the performances and dominates most of the screen time. Her expressive facial contours generate most of the emotion, as her lines of dialogue are minimal, during brief moments with one of her patients in her office. The close-ups on her eyes and face give audiences a window into her soul, as we go on her excursion through this world of moisture in Brazil. The film revolves around her character’s introspective journey, with her stoic yet restrained performance subtly pulling the audience into her emotional world. The cast is rounded out by Elisa (Maria Adélia), Thiago (José Karini), Kika (Ana Barroso), who all deliver faintly subdued performances to complement Niedermeier well. Karini, playing Anne’s romantic interest, shares an ambiguous relationship with her; yet, in two pivotal scenes, his performance provides a momentary distraction from her ongoing sadness. The chemistry between Niedermeier and Karini is palpable, with their subtle body language offering the audience glimpses into the gradual development of their bond.
Gorter brings audiences a visually stunning journey often using a style of filmmaking that feels more experimental than strictly narrative. Her take on a futuristic Brazil where unstoppable rain takes over life in all ways, is unique and innovative. This self-reflective film shows the symbiotic relationship between nature and humanity. Gorter dazzles the audience with a lush cinematic canvas, where vivid colors and a serene atmosphere blend with a stark sadness, underpinned by a pervasive sense of curiosity in Moisture. The omnipresence imagery of water generates a plentitude of visual metaphors for life, rebirth, and nature for the audience to come away with their own interpretation.
