Selected by Berlinale’s Forum Expanded section, Quebrante is a spellbreaking journey exploring the caves, ruins, and phantasmagorias along the Trans-Amazonian BR230 Highway, highlighting its stones and ghosts. Set in Rurópolis, the first brazilian town built to support highway construction, the film follows Ms. Erismar, known as The Cave Woman, who bravely discovered the region’s caves with only a candle.

Born in 1989 in São Paulo, Brazil, Janaina Wagner works across film, drawing, and installations to critically explore how humans impose order and control on their surroundings. By appropriating historical narratives through various media, she examines notions of progress and legacy. Her work is included in significant collections like KADIST (FR) and Instituto Inhotim (BR). Currently pursuing a PhD at Le Fresnoy, Wagner is also developing her first feature film, the experimental documentary The Bag of the Night.

Available for online screening from 11 December