← ← Back
Movie poster: Once Upon a Time in Rio (2008)
🎬 Movie

Once Upon a Time in Rio

2008 · 117 min Drama
7.5 / 10 · TMDB

Situated just above the awe-inspiring Ipanema beach in Rio is the Cantagalo slum. Every day, floods of Cantagalo residents make their way down the mountain, only to disappear into their surroundings as part of the invisible working-class that cleans apartments, works in restaurants, and sells food along the scenic, sun-drenched shores. Young Dé (Thiago Martins) is just such a man. Dé lives with his mother Bernadette (Cyria Coentro) in a cramped Cantagalo apartment, selling hot dogs on the beach in order to make the rent. His brother Beto was killed when Dé was just a young boy, and his adopted brother Carlão (Rocco Pitanga) has been jailed for a robbery that he didn't commit. One day, while working on the beach, Dé meets Nina (Vitória Frate). Nina is the only child of a successful lawyer named Evandro (Paulo César Grande), who's none to happy to discover that his daughter is dating a member of the lower class. How...

Watch online

Click to play

📋 Film Details

Original Title Era uma Vez...
Year 2008
Country Brazil
Genre Drama
Director Breno Silveira
Runtime 117 min.
Rating TMDB: 7.5/10 (83 votes)

📺 Where to Watch

Checking availability...

🎬 MovieFinder's Take

The director constructs a quiet, observational drama that relies on the stark contrast between the favela and the beach below. It explores social divides through the lens of a fleeting romance, building its emotional weight from daily struggles and unspoken tensions rather than melodrama.

What lingers after the credits is a profound sense of invisible walls within a city. Those who tire of glossy portrayals will find a raw and authentic slice of life here. — MovieFinder Editorial

Director: Breno Silveira

🕯️

Best Watched

Best for a contemplative evening, seeking a sobering character study.

🎭 Cast

🎬 Similar Movies

💬 Audience Reviews

Write a Review

Quick rating — tap to vote:

Or write a full review:

0/2000