The Beetle KFZ-1348 2008
A modest Volkswagen Beetle with a single license plate becomes the unlikely protagonist of Gabriel Mascaro's evocative documentary *The Beetle KFZ-1348*.
Director: Gabriel Mascaro
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Beetle KFZ-1348 (2008) about?
This documentary traces the life of a single Volkswagen Beetle sold in 1965, following its journey across Brazil through eight owners. Each chapter reveals how the car's changing fortunes reflect broader social and economic changes in the country.
Who directed The Beetle KFZ-1348?
Director Gabriel Mascaro guides the film with a sensitive, observational approach, using the car as a narrative device to explore personal and national identity.
Who stars in The Beetle KFZ-1348?
Director Gabriel Mascaro appears as the interviewer and narrator, while the film features eight real-life Beetle owners whose stories drive the documentary.
Is The Beetle KFZ-1348 (2008) worth watching?
As a documentary, *The Beetle KFZ-1348* offers a unique and heartfelt perspective that transcends its simple premise. Its focus on human stories and social history makes it compelling for viewers who appreciate thoughtful, atmospheric films.
How long is The Beetle KFZ-1348?
The Beetle KFZ-1348 runs for 81 minutes, offering a concise yet rich exploration of its central theme.
The Beetle KFZ-1348 (2008): A Car, Eight Lives, and a Nation's Memory — Full Movie Info
A modest Volkswagen Beetle with a single license plate becomes the unlikely protagonist of Gabriel Mascaro's evocative documentary *The Beetle KFZ-1348*. Purchased in São Paulo in 1965, the car embarks on a four-decade journey, winding up in a scrapyard in Recife, Brazil, where its faded exterior and numbered plate hold decades of stories. Through intimate interviews with eight owners, this film paints a vivid, human-scale portrait of Brazil itself—capturing economic shifts, cultural transitions, and personal memories etched into a single vehicle's chassis.
Mascaro crafts a poetic meditation on time and resilience, using the Beetle as a lens to explore how people shape—and are shaped by—the objects they own. The film's quiet, observational tone contrasts with the colorful, layered lives it reveals, making *The Beetle KFZ-1348 (2008)* a quietly powerful documentary experience.