The Brazilian production Desierto Particular tells the story of Sara and Daniel. Sara is a worker who lives with her born male identity, Robson, during the day, and with her female identity, Sara, at night, while taking care of her religious grandmother in Sobradinho, a small city in northeastern Brazil. Daniel, who is an instructor at the police academy in the southern city of Curitiba, is suspended without pay after a violent incident that is all over the news. The only thing holding him together is his online relationship with Sara, whom he has never met in person.

“When Sara suddenly disappears, Daniel travels two thousand miles across Brazil to search for her. He posts her photo all over town, but no one recognizes her, until he gets a mysterious call from someone claiming to know her and asking to meet up. What follows is an emotional journey that will change Sara and Daniel forever,” reads the synopsis of Desierto Particular.

The film, which was selected by Brazil as its official representative in the Best International Film competition at the last Oscars, was the winner of the Audience Award at the Venice International Film Festival. It has also been screened at other international festivals, such as São Paulo, San Francisco and OUTShine.

Desierto Particular features the performance of Antonio Saboia (as Daniel) and the non-binary actor Pedro Fasanaro (as Sara). The cast also includes Thomas Aquino, Laila Garín, Zezita De Matos, Sandro Guerra, Luthero De Almeida, Otávio Linhares, and Cynthia Senek.

The film is directed by Brazilian director Aly Muritiba, who also wrote the script together with Henrique dos Santos.

Desierto Particular traverses the regional, cultural, and political landscapes of Brazil to present a story of love, desire, and resistance. The film hopes to become a declaration of queer love and humanism at a time when LGBTQ+ rights are at risk in every country in the world. Brazil does not escape this reality, and has been the most dangerous country for LGBTQ+ individuals for more than a decade.

The Aly Muritiba production opens on Friday, Aug. 26 at the Quad Cinema in New York and on Friday, Sept. 9 at the Laemmle Theaters in Los Angeles.