Thirteen year-old André lives isolated with his father in the dry region of Alentejo, helping with his water well drilling business instead of going to school. When his father suddenly disappears, André must turn to the only neighbor in miles, a young mother named Sandra, as the only chance of finding him.
Cinematography
Alentejo's parched landscapes breathe like another character.
Acting
Rúben Simões carries silence like a pro twice his age.
Direction
Cayatte lets dread accumulate drop by drop.

Director
Simão Cayatte
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Alentejo is Portugal's most sparsely populated region; the film captures real rural depopulation crisis affecting thousands.
Simão Cayatte deliberately cast non-professionals from the region; Rúben Simões had never acted before.