Divine Love

Divine Love is a 2019 Brazilian futuristic drama film, directed by Gabriel Mascaro. Starring critically-acclaimed talents such as Dira Paes, Julio Machado, and Antonio Pastich, the film is a melting pot of drama, faith, societal issues, and futuristic interpretations. With the stylistic touch of Mascaro, the film delivers a profound statement about religion, devoutness, and the power of faith against the background of a dystopian society.

The film's narrative revolves around the life of the protagonist Joana (Dira Paes). Joanna is a deeply religious woman working as a notary at a divorce office in Recife, a subtropical seaport city on Brazil's northeastern coast. Although surrounded by relationship breakdowns and divorces, Joana is an ardent believer in the sanctity of marriage. Her utmost faith in Divine Love, the evangelical group she is part of, provides her with unwavering hope and a constant source of strength.

Joana makes it a mission to prevent divorces by going beyond her professional duties. She attempts to rekindle the lost love between the couples who come to her office by sharing stories of her own marital bliss and using unconventional, faith-based methods. Through Joana, the film mirrors the juxtaposition of personal life and faith, emphasizing her deep religious belief.

Joana’s life isn't limited to her office or her religious group. She shares a testing relationship with her husband, Danilo (Julio Machado). The couple is longing for a child but has remained unsuccessful despite numerous attempts. Their shared passion for music and their frequent visits to the Divine Love drive-thru prayer station are the only remnants of their once harmonious relationship. This personal struggle adds depth to Joana’s characterization, connecting the audience with her journey on a deeper level.

Dira Paes brilliantly portrays Joana’s internal struggle to maintain her faith in Divine Love while tackling her personal problems. The supporting characters, including Antonio Pastich, provide a vivid portrayal of an evolving Brazilian society, where modernity and traditionalism co-exist.

Divine Love beautifully captures a futuristic Brazil with its creative visual aesthetics. The color palette and lighting play a crucial role in depicting the society of 2027, celebrated by a wonderfully neon-lit techno-utopia. Striking scenes are further enhanced by its ambient synth-heavy soundtrack, accompanying the dystopian narrative and complementing the themes of love, faith, and hope.

Religion is portrayed in a unique and exploratory viewpoint in the film as it reenacts a version of Brazil swept by a wave of evangelicalism. This is represented through several elements, such as unusual religious services featuring rave-like atmospheres, full of dance, music, and neon lighting, creating a near-futuristic representation of religious practice.

Divine Love is a commentary on the human condition within the constructs of a deeply religious society. It illustrates a world where church and state have become intricately intertwined. Still, it also underscores the power of faith and love in the face of socio-political turmoil, personal hardships, and dystopian realities.

Despite the film being steeped in religious concepts, it does not shy away from addressing mature themes around intimacy and sexuality. Mascaro skillfully uses these themes as a mode of communication between characters, thereby making it an intrinsic part of the narrative. The usage of explicit scenes is not gratuitous but used to propel the storyline.

Thematically intense and probing, Divine Love stands as a film that ventures beyond the orthodox portrayal of religion. The film intensifies its narrative with engrossing characters and engenders thought-provoking perceptions about faith and personal freedoms in a futuristic setting. Mascaro's direction and the powerful performances define Divine Love as a visual spectacle that lingers with the audience long after the screen goes dark. This thought-provoking film is a bold narrative experiment rooted in humanistic values and the curiosity to explore the profound dimensions of faith.