‘The Blue Trail’ debuts at 4th CIFF

The Blue Trail, the latest feature by Brazilian auteur Gabriel Mascaro, was screened today as part of the 46th edition of the Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF).

The dystopian drama centers on 77‑year‑old Tereza, who defies a governmental order mandating her relocation to a senior “colony” and embarks instead on a clandestine river voyage through the Amazon in pursuit of a long‑held dream.

Mascaro deploys his signature blend of magical realism and social critique, using lush Amazonian imagery and a journey narrative to challenge norms around ageing, freedom, and state control. Veteran actor Denise Weinberg anchors the film with a powerful performance as Tereza, while Rodrigo Santoro appears in a supporting role that reinforces the film’s layered tone of resistance and self‑discovery.

According to reviews published at its world premiere, the film organically crafts an authoritarian world that devalues people the older they get.

Critics at Screen Daily described it as a “balmy river‑boat ride into the unknown” and noted Mascaro’s success in moving beyond cliché to a film that is visually compelling and emotionally resonant.

The Blue Trail (original Portuguese title O Último Azul) premiered in competition at the Berlin International Film Festival 2025, where it won the Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize and the Ecumenical Jury Prize.

It has since featured in numerous international festivals, including Toronto, London, and Sydney, and has sparked discussion for its thematic focus on ageism, institutional control, and personal rebellion.

As one of the region’s oldest and most prestigious film festivals, CIFF continues to provide a platform for filmmakers like Mascaro to reach audiences in the Middle East and North Africa, promoting cross-cultural exchange and appreciation for innovative storytelling.