São Paulo is the grip of a pandemic, although not quite the one you’d think. Wave has followed wave, and political failure has led to a million-and-a-half deaths, but people so easily forget, just like in real life; this disease’s main symptom is memory loss. Jonata has come here to pick up his HIV medication and visit his uncle Pedro, who is the same age as him and works as a camboy. His staged moans of pleasure disturb his flatmate Isabella’s attempts to study for an administration exam that has just been called off as the pandemic enters its “golden” phase. As these three affable young queers wander the city, the amusingly bizarre encounters and misadventures they have along the way feel like a road movie on foot, narrating a vision of Brazil along the way that embraces diversity, sexual freedom and infinite kindness. It’s a place anchored in the trio’s memories as well as the people young and old, living and dead, that come together to sing with them in the fabulous, melancholy musical number that doesn’t want to end. In times like these, community is everything and so fragile nonetheless. It starts with a name forgotten, a misplaced word, and then you’re on your own, in this Brazil and the one it resembles alike. Who knows what can happen if everyone turns off. (James Lattimer)
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