Antônia

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Antônia is a 2006 dramatic Brazilian musical film which tells the story of Antônia, a hip-hop girl group formed by four young women living on a favela of São Paulo. On their way to the mainstream success, they have to face with the violence near their homes and the machismo of the musical business. The film was directed by Tata Amaral and stars Negra Li, Cindy Mendes, Leilah Moreno and Jacqueline Simão as the members of the group.

[edit] Plot

On Vila Brasilândia, a favela of São Paulo, four black girls battles to fulfill their dream of making a living off their music. Friend since the childhood, Preta (Negra Li), Bárbarah (Leilah Moreno), Mayah (Jaqueline Simão) and Lena (Cindy) decide to quit singing the backing vocals on a male rap group and form Antônia, their own group. Discovered by the clever manager Marcelo Diamante (Thaíde), they begin to sing rap, MPB, pop and soul in bars and in middle-class parties.

But just when their dream seems to becoming true, their hopes are dashed by the daily events which accompany poverty, machismo and violence which threaten the group and place their friendship in jeopardy. In a jealous rage, Preta ends her friendship with Mayah and her marriage, deciding to raise her small daughter Emília all by herself. Lena decides to quit singing rap after her husband puts a great deal of pressure on her. And Barbarah, which wrestles kung fu, involves herself in a complicated situation after her brother's boyfriend is murdered on the street of their house. Separated by a bitter destiny, the four girls will hve to fight to bring together the piece of the group and making singing together once again a pleasurous activity.