ODYSSEY OF THE SOUL

Synopsis

Marina, a trans woman and singer in São Paulo's nightlife, reunites with her father, who has Alzheimer's, after years of estrangement. In an attempt to reconcile, she takes him to significant places from her past, hoping to revive his memories and rebuild their lost bond.

DRAMA, SHORT / 15' / 2025

Written and directed by

Samvel Yves Carvazán

Produced by

Fluxzone

Language: Portuguese

Subtitles: English

Director's Statement

The film is based on true stories, stories that hold significant relevance and importance in the context of our current society. It tackles important themes that need to be discussed. In short, this film gives a voice to those who often have no space to be heard.

I remember that the idea began with a clear image in my mind: an elderly lady with Alzheimer's climbing a staircase and disappearing into the clouds, while her daughter watched from a distance. Like a sudden spark, the name appeared: Odyssey of the Soul. There could be no other title that better described this story. And, like every precious gem, a script also requires refinement.

Over the years, I worked on and honed the text, adding more dramatic depth to the narrative, trying to write in the most sensitive way possible. Gradually, the script took shape and substance, until it became the one that was eventually filmed and captured, but it took a long, challenging journey to reach this point.

A total of 12 drafts were made, with the final one completed the day before the first day of shooting. Although I had never written on this subject before, through my actors and the filming crew, I was certain that I had done a good job – a true piece of work, filled with respect and, above all, sensitivity.

It's a story about family – a son who lost his mother at a very young age, while still discovering his sexuality and what he truly wanted from life. He found himself in an empty house with his father, a man from another time, very strict. After a series of disagreements, the son goes his own way, cutting ties with his father. However, fate, years later, brings them back together.

A sensitive and true story about being who you were truly meant to be, memory, love, reconciliation, family, and above all: hope.

The Odyssey of the Soul is an internal and profound journey that seeks self-knowledge, transformation, and a connection with the deepest essence of being. Much like in Homer's famous work, The Odyssey, where the hero Odysseus faces numerous challenges to return home, the odyssey of the soul is filled with internal obstacles such as fears, doubts, and emotional conflicts. However, it is through this journey that one seeks to better understand themselves, overcome their limitations, and find inner peace. It is a spiritual and existential quest that, although often difficult, leads to personal growth and evolution.

— Samvel Yves Carvazán

Director's Biography

Born in the autumn of 1997 to a pianist and a musician, Samvel Yves Carvazán inherited his parents’ passion for the arts. After losing his mother in 2011, he turned to cinema and literature, writing books, poetry, and making films. He has won several awards, including the World Independent Cinema Award for Best Director, the Latino Awards for Best Director and Best Director of Photography, the Avalonia Award for Best International Poem, the Student World Impact Award, and the Golden Frame Award for Best Cinematography. In 2016, he founded the Sorocaba Film Festival, which he directs and conceived. This international film festival held its first edition in 2023, showcasing a high-calibre selection. In 2017, Carvazán established 88 FILMES, an independent film production company. The company’s first film, the short "The Mountain Above Us," received widespread praise and was featured in over 300 festivals worldwide during its two years of screenings. Today, the production company is known as Fluxzone.

Production Company

Fluxzone is a production company established in 2017.

Constant flux of images.

Founded in early 2017 by Samvel Yves Carvazán, in collaboration with independent Brazilian artists, the company produced its first short film that same year, which became a tremendous success: The Mountain Above Us. The film was showcased at over 300 international festivals within two years, receiving positive reviews and numerous awards. The second short film, A Thousand Birds in the Sky, was released in 2022 and also proved to be a success. The third film, a science fiction piece titled Son of Man, earned several awards and rave reviews. The company remains active, continuing to collaborate with various independent artists, maintaining its unique vision, uniting the industry, and delivering highly relevant, top-quality content.

Cast

Luciano Pais as Américo

Soll Paixão as Marina

Crew

Director, Cinematographer and Scriptwriter

Samvel Yves Carvazán

Script Advisor

Priscila Vásquez

Camera Operator, Sound Recordist and First Assistant Director (1st AD)

Sabrina Emanuelle

Production Photographer and Second Assistant Director (2nd AD)

Ester Lima

Subtitles Supervisor and Poster Designer

Brenda Mie

Editing and Color Grading

Joana Melão

Sound Editing

Emy Otsuki

Costume Design

Luciano Pais & Soll Paixão

Make-up

Soll Paixão

Starring

Luciano Pais & Soll Paixão

Production

Fluxzone

Executive Producer

Samvel Yves Carvazán