archytele The Vault

Estamira 2004

“Everything that is imaginary has, exists and is”

★ 7.5/10 Documentary Released
Find a cinema
Quick answer

What is Estamira?

The film "Estamira" is a character study of a 63-year-old woman living in Rio de Janeiro. She has supported herself for many years by picking through garbage at the Jardim Gramacho Disposal Area.

Type
Film
Year
2004
Status
Released
Runtime
121 minutes
Release date
Oct 1, 2004
Studios
Zazen Produções
Genres
Documentary
Updated

Trailer

No official trailer is available for this title yet.

Find the trailer on YouTube ↗

Overview

The film "Estamira" is a character study of a 63-year-old woman living in Rio de Janeiro. She has supported herself for many years by picking through garbage at the Jardim Gramacho Disposal Area. The film follows her life, starting in the year she begins treatment in a psychiatric clinic. Initially, her thoughts and speech are difficult to understand due to her condition. Over time, her character is revealed through quiet and lucid moments. The film portrays her struggles with her illness and her daily life in a disposal area. The woman's experiences and emotions are central to the story, providing insight into her complex and challenging situation.

Advertisement

Should you watch it?

“A documentary follows a sixty-three-year-old woman with schizophrenia who works as a garbage picker in Rio de Janeiro.”

Reasons to watch
  • provides a powerful look at a marginalized life
  • explores the complexities of mental illness
Keep in mind
  • features difficult and harsh living conditions
  • includes challenging stream-of-consciousness dialogue

Watch it if you want to see a documentary about a woman managing schizophrenia while working at a disposal area.

The film contains depictions of harsh poverty and the struggles associated with severe mental illness.

Ask the Vault

Ask anything about Estamira — answers are spoiler-safe.

Your verdict

Is Estamira worth watching?

Cast

Frequently asked questions

Who is the main subject of the film?

The main subject is a sixty-three-year-old woman named Estamira who suffers from schizophrenia.

What is Estamira's occupation?

She has supported herself for twenty years by picking through garbage.

Where does Estamira work?

She works at the Jardim Gramacho Disposal Area in Rio de Janeiro.

When does the documentary begin following her?

The film follows her starting in the year 2000 when she begins psychiatric treatment.

What challenges does the viewer face when listening to Estamira?

At first, it is hard to understand her due to her stream-of-consciousness sentences, delusions, and obsessions.