SYNOPSIS
Carol is the pride of her family, a brilliant student preparing to study abroad on a prestigious scholarship. The night before her departure, her mom hosts a surprise farewell dinner. But Carol is hiding a truth: she is pregnant and has decided to end the pregnancy before leaving.
Based on a true story, Menarca explores the weight of expectation placed on young women in Brazil, a country where abortion remains a crime. The title, referring to a girl’s first menstruation, underscores how early society defines and controls female identity.
WHAT WE DID
Menarca was a film I chose to bring to life in close collaboration with the director and lead actress. I was involved from the earliest stages of script development and contributed to key production moments, particularly scenes involving complex props and setups. I also designed the film's visual identity, which included the poster, flyers, and a dedicated landing page.
The short was selected for several festivals, among them the Short Film Corner at the 2020 Cannes Film Festival.
Area 51 Films and Manic Studio
Producers João Gabriel Gragnani and Deborah Zapata
Screenwriter and Director Alexandre Setembro
Art Director Rebeca Ukstin
Costume designer Eva Bensiman
Graphic designer João Gabriel Gragnani