Watch Ossos
- NR
- 1997
- 1 hr 38 min
-
6.8 (1,728)
Ossos (1997) is a Portuguese film directed by Pedro Costa. It tells the story of a young couple, Tina (Vanda Duarte) and Jorges (Nuno Vaz), who live in a shantytown in Lisbon with their newborn baby. The shantytown is a world of poverty, violence, and despair. The characters in the film have no hope for the future, and seem to be trapped in a cycle of poverty and suffering.
The film begins with the birth of the couple's baby, but quickly shifts focus to the couple's relationship. Jorge is a drug addict who is unable to take care of himself or his family. Tina is left to care for the baby and her boyfriend, all while trying to find some meaning in her life. She dreams of a better life, but has no idea how to achieve it.
The film is shot in black and white, giving it a stark, gritty feel that matches the impoverished surroundings of the shantytown. The camera work is raw and intimate, following the characters closely and capturing their emotions in extreme close-ups.
Throughout the film, the couple's relationship is strained. Jorge spends most of his time getting high or on the streets, leaving Tina to care for the baby alone. She becomes increasingly frustrated with him, and begins to question whether she should stay with him or leave him.
As the film progresses, we see the couple's relationship reach a breaking point. Tina discovers that Jorge has sold their baby to a wealthy couple, and she is left to deal with the aftermath. The film ends with a sense of uncertainty and darkness, as the characters are left to face the harsh realities of their lives.
Ossos is a powerful film that offers a bleak and uncompromising look at life in a shantytown. The film is carried by Vanda Duarte's powerful performance as Tina, who is equal parts tough and vulnerable. The film does not offer any easy answers, but instead forces the viewer to confront the brutal realities of poverty and desperation.