Elena Poster

Elena 2013

★ 7.396 votes82 min📅 2013-04-11

In *Elena (2013)*, director Petra Costa crafts a haunting documentary-drama that traces her own journey to uncover the truth behind her older sister's mysterious disappearance.

Director: Petra Costa

Cast

Li An
Self
Elena Andrade
Elena Andrade
Self (archive footage)
Petra Costa
Petra Costa
Self

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Elena (2013) about?

This deeply personal documentary follows director Petra Costa as she retraces her steps to uncover the disappearance of her older sister, Elena, in New York. Using home movies, diary entries, and news clippings, Petra pieces together a fragmented narrative of loss, exile, and the lingering wounds of Brazil's dictatorship.

Who directed Elena?

Petra Costa, an acclaimed Brazilian filmmaker known for her intimate and introspective documentaries, directed *Elena*.

Who stars in Elena?

The documentary features Li An, Elena Andrade, and Petra Costa, with the latter also serving as the director.

Is Elena (2013) worth watching?

With its emotional depth and striking visual storytelling, *Elena* is a compelling watch for fans of documentary films. Its exploration of family, memory, and political history makes it both personal and universally resonant, even without an IMDb rating.

How long is Elena?

The film runs for 82 minutes.

🎥 Trailer

About Elena (2013) — A Poignant Search for Family and History in a Brazilian Documentary

In *Elena (2013)*, director Petra Costa crafts a haunting documentary-drama that traces her own journey to uncover the truth behind her older sister's mysterious disappearance. After years apart, Petra arrives in New York with little more than fragmented clues—home movies flickering with nostalgia, brittle newspaper clippings, and a diary brimming with untold secrets. As she digs deeper into their shared past, the film unravels the emotional scars left by Brazil's turbulent dictatorship, intertwining personal grief with the weight of a nation's history. The atmosphere is raw and intimate, blending intimate family moments with stark political reflections.

The director's lens captures the fragile bond between sisters, both actresses navigating the echoes of trauma while chasing dreams in a foreign land. Through poetic visuals and candid storytelling, *Elena* becomes more than a search for answers—it's a meditation on memory, loss, and the stories we bury to survive. A deeply moving portrait of resilience, the film lingers long after the credits roll, leaving viewers to ponder the silences that define us.