Private Desert

There is a change of styles from the intro’s sepulchral tableaus to something more loose and fluid, and Muritiba excels at infusing his drama with subtle state-of-the-nation resonance.

It’s a film field with ache and passion... it offers hope rather than unending despair. T

Muritaba avoids the obvious at every turn. Where Hollywood might turn a story like this into a vulgar piece of exploitation, in Private Desert both Daniel and Sara are conflicted, complex people...

One becomes certain that “Private Desert” is the type of unshowy treasure at risk of being overlooked...

Enters the dangerous realm of fantasy and wish-fulfillment, revealing that the makers of this film are as recklessly naïve and morally questionable as their protagonists.

Muritiba understands that any portrait of masculinity that fixates too intensely on the cruelties and self-denials of machista culture are futile. Instead, he finds grace in stolen moments of tenderness...

Muritiba shows there is humanity, love, and connectedness even despite the initial difference, but honesty and sympathy are what drive this story.

It might not be a grand romance for the ages, but Private Desert is certainly a love-story with a unique hook that will live with you after the credits roll. It’s just a shame it faffs about along the way.

Aly Muritiba shapes an extraordinary queer drama which, through his raw look at his native land's society, exposes the fragility of the concept of masculinity.

An interior journey that happens very quickly, but finds new life with a loved one and ends up acting as a revelatory mirror. [Full review in Spanish]