Ash Wednesday

Uriara Maciel, a Brazilian actress and theatre-maker born in Bahia and currently based in Berlin, delivers a compelling performance as Demétria in the short musical film Ash Wednesday (Quarta-Feira de Cinzas). Directed by João Pedro Prado and Bárbara Santos, the 30-minute film premiered at the 2023 Berlinale in the Perspektive Deutsches Kino section.

Set against the backdrop of Rio de Janeiro's Carnival, the narrative follows Demétria, a single mother awaiting her daughter's return from school. Her anticipation turns to dread as a violent police raid unfolds in her favela, highlighting systemic racism and social injustices in Brazil. The film employs musical elements and vibrant visuals to underscore the community's resilience amidst oppression.

Maciel's portrayal of Demétria is both powerful and nuanced, capturing a mother's anguish and strength in the face of adversity. Her background in decolonial and feminist theatre, including work with Augusto Boal's Theatre of the Oppressed, informs her performance, adding depth to the character's emotional journey.
Ash Wednesday was produced by Schuldenberg Films in collaboration with the Film University Babelsberg Konrad Wolf, where the favela setting was authentically recreated. The film's innovative blend of musical storytelling and social commentary has been recognized at various festivals, including its premiere at the Berlinale.

Uriara Maciel's performance in Ash Wednesday stands as a testament to her talent and commitment to socially engaged art, marking a significant contribution to contemporary cinema.

Germany 2023
Fiction, 28 min, color
DCP, 2K, 24fps
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Sound: 5.1 surround
Language: Brazilian Portuguese
Subtitles: English & German

World premiere @ 73rd Berlinale – Perspektive Deutsches Kino

Cast & Crew
Starring
Uriara Maciel, Ronni Maciel, Jefferson Preto, and João Eduardo Albertini

Directed by
João Pedro Prado & Bárbara Santos

Written by
Bia Krieger, João Pedro Prado, Bárbara Santos, Uriara Maciel

Produced by
Vincent Edusei, Fabian Altenried, Sophie Ahrens, Kristof Gerega

Cinematography
Kleber Nascimento

Production design
Claudia Valeria Barrantes Sotomayor

Editing
Anton Buzal

Sound supervision & design
Ricardo Severo

Music supervision
Ole Wiedekamm

Lyrics & melodies
Bárbara Santos

Composers
Ole Wiedekamm, Max van Dusen, Nico Pavlovic, Fenix Gayed, Lena Radivoj

Live score
Till Baumann

Costume design
Gabriel Carneiro

A production by Schuldenberg Films in co-production with Film University Babelsberg Konrad Wolf
Funded by War on Screen & German Ministry of Culture (BKM)