Let It Burn

This alluring excursion inside the social hotel Parque Dom Pedro, a converted hostel in São Paulo’s Cracolândia neighborhood, introduces us to a strung-out community. Rescued from the streets by some idealistic activists, these addicts - full of heartache, heartbreak, and loneliness - take elevator joyrides and sometimes engage in lovelorn knife fights. They are an affectionate, supportive group - occupants light each other’s crack pipes in communal confab, and together they enjoy the sounds of Millie Jackson. Sometimes impassioned exchanges between the residents result in interventions. Then Let It Burn pivots into a musical, as occupants perform heartfelt songs conveying a world where life feels intense and disorienting, violent and beautiful. Melodies reverberate from the rooftops, a burning and yearning in tandem with discord and discourse. (True/False Film Festival)