After the success of his first feature, the dynamic and stylised Madame Satã, Brazilian director Karim Ainouz once again delivers a powerful story of personal transformation full of rich and memorable characters. Unlike the earlier film, Suely in the Sky is set in the expansive, empty landscape of north-eastern Brazil. After two years of living in São Paulo, Hermila (Hermila Guedes) returns to her village with her newborn son, anxiously awaiting the arrival of her husband. Time passes slowly here and the wait becomes an even heavier burden as Hermila realises that she’s been abandoned. Determined to raise enough money to leave the stifling environment of her hometown, she comes up with an unlikely prize to raffle off—one conceived during her chats with newfound friend and local prostitute Georgina (Georgina Castro). Ainouz adorns his alluring film with captivating cinematography and a delicate, nostalgic atmosphere. What is most powerful, however, is the spirit of this abandoned young single mother, who is determined to live life to the fullest as she journeys towards new, open horizons.—Diana Sanchez.