Rossandra Leone is a powerful figure in the fight for social justice from the periphery of Rio de Janeiro. Her talent as an emerging filmmaker is undeniable. She has already won prizes and gained recognition in several Brazilian film festivals.
As a multimedia student, she produced the movie “O Jogo.” Later, she became involved with the Cinema Negro movement. Despite access to very few resources, she persisted in infusing quality into her work. She knows this is a tough business.
As a Black lesbian, Leone relied on her perseverance and street savvy to overcome obstacles; here it is worth highlighting that the suburbs in Brazil are places where the majority of residents are poor and Black.
In this interview, Leone talks about her fears growing up and about the condition of being an invisible resident of the periphery, which she exposes on screen in her film, “Real Card,” a short about the city of Rio de Janeiro’s challenges and contradictions.
Her most recent prize-winning movie, “Blackout,” is running successfully in film festivals. The Afrofuturistic short is a fictional story of a Black woman who succeeds in changing the system.
Any resemblance to Leone might be mere coincidence. Her skill in the dance for survival reminds us of the iconic lyrics from the great Brazilian songwriter Gonzaguinha: “No campo do adversário, é bom jogar com muita calma procurando pela brecha.”
