Histórias de Alice

It tells the story of a Brazilian filmmaker, Lucas. When his mother, Alice, dies in Belo Horizonte, he searches for his family's Portuguese roots across the ocean, discovering an intricate love story. Lucas's father, Olavo, was the son of a very wealthy Portuguese industrialist, Joaquim, who was disinherited when he married Alice, Lucas's mother, a very poor woman who lived in a rooming house in the city of Porto, Portugal. With the Second World War looming, they all left for Brazil, settling in Minas Gerais. While investigating his distant past, Lucas makes discoveries about possible criminal acts committed by his own father, Olavo. Lucas is helped by Teresa, a young Portuguese woman who works as a restorer of old Portuguese churches in the interior of Portugal. Lucas, assisted by Teresa, seeks to reconstruct the stories of his mother Alice, and ends up falling in love with Teresa.

Directed by Oswaldo Caldeira, Histórias de Alice leans on a strong ensemble — Leonardo Medeiros, Ana Moreira, Filipe Duarte — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about drama titles of 2016.