TOLL /PEDAGIO

Brazil, 2023, 102 minutes, Colour.

Maeve Jinkings, Kauan Alvarenga, Thomas Aquino.

Directed by Carolna Markowitz.

There is an ambiguity in the title, Toll. At an obvious level, it refers to the gates at the beginning of the bridge, and the women who collect the toll from the drivers. But, there is also the toll on the various characters.

The film is a Brazilian slice of life, an industrial town, poor neighbourhood, the focus on a middle-aged woman, Suellen, working at the toll with her friend Telma, in a relationship with the organiser of a gang of car thieves, very concerned about her son and his sexual orientation. This takes its toll on her, the management of home life, the information from Telma about a conversion therapy program, risking criminal advice to the thieves for targets to get money for the programme.

And the focus on the son, aged 17, his room, his making videos and lip syncing to American songs, as well as his dressing up, especially at a children’s party. The scenes of the conversion therapy course, conducted by religious Minister, are not persuasive, often graphic, derided by most audiences.

This is a portrait of a Brazilian woman, difficult circumstances, on the one hand trying her best, but on the other hand, her best leading to criminal activity and imprisonment. And it is a brief portrait of an adolescent manifesting the camp side of his sexual orientation and trying to find a place in society.

1. The slice of Brazilian life, poverty, work, youth, gangs of thieves, sexual orientation?
2. The setting, the neighbourhood, poverty, homes, streets, shops, ordinary life? The industrial atmosphere, factories, smokestacks? The bridge, the city, the toll? The musical score?
3. The story of Suellen, her background, in the town, her son, concern, adolescent? Her relationship with Arauto? Her son antagonistic? The details of ordinary life?
4. Suellen, her work, going to the toll, her dealings with customers, the details, antagonistic, money issues, pleasant? Her friendship with Telma, at the toll, Telma and her age, the large woman, the drivers, the connections, the sexual encounters, her commentary, her religiosity and renewing her marriage vows annually? Supporting Suellen?
5. Aruauto, the gang, robberies, the set-ups, pursuing the cars, forcing them over, the robberies? Stashing the watches with Suellen?
6. Suellen and her concern about her son, his sexual orientation, behaviour, indications, friends? The religious background, the pastor, conversion program, the visitor and his techniques?
7. Antonio, his age, his room, costumes, lip-syncing to the American songs, his performances, the videos, at the party, his dress?
8. Suellen and the need for money to pay for the conversion therapy? The agreement with Arauto, her targeting various drivers, the scenes of the robberies, watches, her payment, and to the pastor, the plan for her son?
9. Antonio unwilling to go, his mother commanding him, the sessions, the techniques, the slides, physical, provocative, the advice, the effect on the boy? (And the effect on the audience, the response to the lecture, the slides, the approach, the morality or not?) Discussion of the red ibis and the city?
10. Meeting Ricky, his background, at the sessions, the friendship, the later meetings?
11. Suellen and her targeting the car, the gang pursuing, the robbery, the fact that it was the presenter of the conversion therapy course? His death?
12. The aftermath, the police, Suellen, arrest, imprisonment? Antonio and Ricky? An unfinished slice of life ending?