Brazil’s Maria Bethânia (2001)

A story of friendship unfolds as an Argentinian man travels to Brazil to find his friend from Bahia. The film explores the early life of Brazilian music icon Maria Bethânia, whose beginnings have long been shrouded in mystery. Through extensive research and journeys to various locations, the film seeks to uncover the origins of her distinctive voice and style. With the collaboration of Maria Bethânia herself, along with Caetano Veloso, Chico Buarque, and Gilberto Gil, the filmmaker retraces her steps to the North-East region. Ultimately, the film reveals the childhood of Maria Bethânia and her brother Caetano in their family home in Santo Amaro – the source from which their music emerged.