The films of Carolina Markowicz capture our attention with stories of peculiar outsiders and strange behavior—only then to pull the rug out from under us. If the Brazilian filmmaker centers on outcasts and deviant characters, it is to question the social impulse to judge, mock, and reject. Exploring somber ideas through various modes—from comedy and drama to hybrid animation—her diverse but invariably stylish films are shot through with dark humor.
In Postponed (2016) and Long Distance Relationship (2017), Markowicz brings us in close to perspectives that others might shy away from. Whether her eccentric protagonists seek answers from a clairvoyant, or dream of sexual intercourse with aliens, Markowicz embraces both quixotic pursuits.
Her award-winning short The Orphan (2018), meanwhile, exposes disgusted responses to difference as incurious and regressive. Although the titular boy stands out for his effeminate mannerisms, Markowicz’s intelligent camera soon highlights the adults in the room as the true anomalies; their barely concealed homophobia and hypocrisy are the real source of malaise. Markowicz takes aim at capitalist exploitation and inflexible gender roles in the colorful, animated short Tatuapé Mahal Tower (2014). Through the offbeat story of an architectural figurine looking for love, the director’s spirited allegory imagines improbable but radical alternatives to the oppressive status quo.
Dire economic conditions and other sinister forces twist the template of the realist drama into an acidic comedy in Charcoal (2022). Dismiss the amoral actions of the poor family at the heart of the film as purely evil if you must. But Markowicz’s ominous, gripping debut feature suggests that, in a world rife with inequality, these decisions may be more reasonable than we’d like to admit. Who are we to judge?

The films of Carolina Markowicz capture our attention with stories of peculiar outsiders and strange behavior&#8212;only then to pull the rug out from under us. If the Brazilian filmmaker centers on outcasts and deviant characters, it is to question the social impulse to judge, mock, and reject. Exploring somber ideas through various modes&#8212;from comedy and drama to hybrid animation&#8212;her diverse but invariably stylish films are shot through with dark humor.
In Postponed (2016) and Long Distance Relationship (2017), Markowicz brings us in close to perspectives that others might shy away from. Whether her eccentric protagonists seek answers from a clairvoyant, or dream of sexual intercourse with aliens, Markowicz embraces both quixotic pursuits.
Her award-winning short The Orphan (2018), meanwhile, exposes disgusted responses to difference as incurious and regressive. Although the titular boy stands out for his effeminate mannerisms, Markowicz&#8217;s intelligent camera soon highlights the adults in the room as the true anomalies; their barely concealed homophobia and hypocrisy are the real source of malaise. Markowicz takes aim at capitalist exploitation and inflexible gender roles in the colorful, animated short Tatuapé Mahal Tower (2014). Through the offbeat story of an architectural figurine looking for love, the director&#8217;s spirited allegory imagines improbable but radical alternatives to the oppressive status quo.
Dire economic conditions and other sinister forces twist the template of the realist drama into an acidic comedy in Charcoal (2022). Dismiss the amoral actions of the poor family at the heart of the film as purely evil if you must. But Markowicz&#8217;s ominous, gripping debut feature suggests that, in a world rife with inequality, these decisions may be more reasonable than we&#8217;d like to admit. Who are we to judge?

Bizarre Modern World: Films by Carolina Markowicz

BIZARRE MODERN WORLD: FILMS BY CAROLINA MARKOWICZ

The films of Carolina Markowicz capture our attention with stories of peculiar outsiders and odd behavior—only to pull the rug out from under us. Rather than judge, mock, or reject deviant characters, the Brazilian director shows that they have much to reveal about our bizarre modern world.

The films of Carolina Markowicz capture our attention with stories of peculiar outsiders and odd behavior&#8212;only to pull the rug out from under us. Rather than judge, mock, or reject deviant characters, the Brazilian director shows that they have much to reveal about our bizarre modern world.