The Fabulous Time Machine

A group of girls living in the Brazilian countryside tell the story of the world around them. Between play, dreams, and daily chores, they explore what it means to grow up, to become a woman, and the challenges that come with it.

Their daily lives, shaped by school, chores, and the challenging conditions of life in Brazil’s poorest region, remain full of joy, fun, and childlike imagination. With remarkable candour, the documentary’s young protagonists speak about inequality, religion, family, and growing up, mixing serious topics with humour and everyday observations. They build a mythical time machine that allows them to travel to the world of their mothers and grandmothers, where the most important thing was survival, and also to a future in which they imagine themselves in their dream roles.

This is a film brimming with hope and girls’ energy, which gives young girls a voice and shows the strength of girls growing up in a place where men still enjoy greater freedom and privileges.

Did you know that…

… the documentary is set in the Brazilian sertão? It is a vast, arid region covering a significant part of the country, where rainfall is scarce and vegetation must cope with harsh conditions. For generations, the sertão has inspired writers, filmmakers, and local storytellers, serving as the backdrop to many extraordinary tales.