The first Brazilian retrospective of Italian filmmaker Alice Rohrwacher wraps up at CAIXA Cultural Rio on March 15, with free admission and accessible screenings.
A landmark showcase in Brazil
CAIXA Cultural Rio de Janeiro is hosting The Enchantment: Alice Rohrwacher’s Cinema through March 15, 2026 — the first retrospective in Brazil dedicated to the acclaimed Italian director. Curated by Raquel Gandra, the program brings together every film in Rohrwacher’s body of work: features, mid-length films, and shorts. All screenings are free, with tickets distributed 30 minutes before each session.
The retrospective opened on March 3 as a tribute to International Women’s Day. “I deeply admire the way she gives voice to female rebellion and the affection, curiosity, and discovery she brings to light and image,” says curator Raquel Gandra.
Who is Alice Rohrwacher
Born in Fiesole, Italy, in 1981, Alice Rohrwacher studied literature and philosophy at the University of Turin and has become one of the most important voices in contemporary European cinema. Her feature Happy as Lazzaro (2018) won Best Screenplay at the Cannes Film Festival, and The Wonders (2014) took home the Grand Prix du Jury at the same festival.
Her filmmaking stands out for its delicate, dreamlike quality — while never shying away from human impurity. Her films move between history and myth, kindness and cruelty, rural and urban life, always with a poetic and intimate touch. Rohrwacher is also known for her commitment to analog film, shooting mostly on 16 mm and 35 mm as both an aesthetic and a practical choice.
“Because resources are limited, you know what you need to do and that keeps us alert. Digital has no surprises, there is no interpretation of the image.” — Alice Rohrwacher
Final week highlights
This closing week features new screenings of Happy as Lazzaro (2018), La Chimera (2023) — starring Brazilian actress Carol Duarte alongside Isabella Rossellini —, as well as Futura (2020) and Corpo Celeste (2011), both exploring the transition from childhood to adulthood, a recurring theme in Rohrwacher’s work.
Three Italian classics that influenced the director round out the program: Love Meetings (1964) by Pier Paolo Pasolini, The Working Class Goes to Heaven (1971) by Elio Petri, and The Legend of the Holy Drinker (1988) by Ermanno Olmi. Also featured are two shorts co-directed with visual artist JR — Une Allégorie Urbaine (2024) and Omelia Contadina (2020).
Accessible and commented screenings
On March 11 (Wednesday) at 5:20 PM, Happy as Lazzaro will be shown with full accessibility resources: descriptive subtitles, audio description, and Brazilian Sign Language (LIBRAS). On March 15 (Sunday) at 2:30 PM, educator and researcher Hernani Heffner will lead a post-screening discussion of the same film. Both events are free.
“I discovered Alice Rohrwacher’s work in 2018, when I watched Happy as Lazzaro for the first time, and I was enchanted. Her sensitivity and the critical sharpness of her stories, which skillfully interweave reality and fantasy through a playful approach, illuminate the contradictions and complexities of our time and our relationships.” — Raquel Gandra, curator
Final week schedule
March 10 – Tuesday
3:30 PM – The Working Class Goes to Heaven, dir. Elio Petri (Italy, 1971, 125 min). Ages 12+.
6 PM – Love Meetings, dir. Pier Paolo Pasolini (Italy, 1964, 92 min). All ages.
March 11 – Wednesday
2:45 PM – The Legend of the Holy Drinker, dir. Ermanno Olmi (Italy, 1988, 127 min). Ages 12+.
5:20 PM – ACCESSIBLE SCREENING (descriptive subtitles, audio description and LIBRAS) – Happy as Lazzaro, dir. Alice Rohrwacher (Italy, 2018, 138 min). Ages 12+.
March 12 – Thursday
3 PM – De Djess Miu Miu Women’s Tales #9 (USA, 2015, 15 min) + My Brilliant Friend – episode The Void (Italy, 2020, 60 min), dir. Alice Rohrwacher. All ages.
5:30 PM – My Brilliant Friend – episode The Betrayal, dir. Alice Rohrwacher (Italy, 2020, 60 min). Ages 12+.
March 13 – Friday
3:30 PM – A Little Show (Italy, 2005, 65 min), dir. Alice Rohrwacher and Pier Paolo Giarolo + A Song (Italy, 2014, 11 min), dir. Alice Rohrwacher. All ages.
5:15 PM – La Chimera (Italy/France/Switzerland, 2023, 131 min), dir. Alice Rohrwacher. Ages 12+.
March 14 – Saturday
11:30 AM – Une Allégorie Urbaine (France, 2024, 21 min) + Omelia Contadina (Italy/France, 2020, 9 min), dir. Alice Rohrwacher and JR + Le Pupille (Italy, 2022, 39 min) + Four Roads (Italy, 2020, 8 min), dir. Alice Rohrwacher. All ages.
3 PM – Ad una mela (Italy/Austria, 2020, 2 min) + Violenttina (Italy, 2016, 4 min) + Corpo Celeste (Italy, 2011, 98 min), dir. Alice Rohrwacher. All ages.
5:15 PM – The Legend of the Holy Drinker, dir. Ermanno Olmi (Italy, 1988, 127 min). Ages 12+.
March 15 – Sunday
11:30 AM – Futura, dir. Alice Rohrwacher, Pietro Marcello and Francesco Munzi (Italy, 2020, 108 min). All ages.
2:30 PM – COMMENTED SCREENING by educator and researcher Hernani Heffner – Happy as Lazzaro, dir. Alice Rohrwacher (Italy, 2018, 138 min). Ages 12+.
Practical Information
The Enchantment: Alice Rohrwacher’s Cinema
Venue: CAIXA Cultural Rio de Janeiro – Unidade Passeio
Address: Rua do Passeio, 38 – Centro (Metro and VLT: Cinelândia)
Phone: +55 (21) 3083-2595
Dates: March 3–15, 2026 (Tuesday through Sunday)
Admission: Free. Tickets distributed 30 minutes before each screening.
Capacity: 62 seats
Box office: Tuesday–Saturday, 1 PM–7 PM. Sundays and holidays, 1 PM–6 PM.
Wheelchair accessible.
Produced by: Firula Filmes
Sponsored by: CAIXA and the Brazilian Federal Government
Full schedule: https://www.caixacultural.gov.br/Paginas/Programacao.aspx?idEvento=4083
Photo: Divulgação
