A Santa Joana dos Matadouros

About This Movie

A Santa Joana dos Matadouros is a fascinating dive into the interplay between cinema and theater, shot in a hauntingly beautiful old slaughterhouse in Porto. The film carries a gritty, raw atmosphere that feels almost tactile, echoing the harsh realities of the labor market during tough economic times in Europe. It meanders through its themes, sometimes slow but allowing space for reflection, which feels very Brechtian. Performances are striking, with an ensemble cast that embodies the struggles and complexities of their characters. There's this constant sense of questioning what we see on screen—how it relates to the real world—and that meta commentary is woven throughout. Really distinctive for its setting and approach, it’s not your typical drama.

Filmed in a unique industrial locationStrong Brechtian influencesThought-provoking themes