Festival Art Souterrain

The film Pele de Vidro [ Skin of Glass ] follows the emotional journey of Denise Zmekhol as she discovers that her father’s modern building has become a refuge for hundreds of homeless families in São Paulo, Brazil. The film is compelling due to its intimate narrative and powerful visuals. Despite security concerns, the inhabitants of the glass tower instinctively adapt the architecture of the former office building to accommodate their housing needs. By transcending the rigorous and formal framework of the original architecture, the domestic and artistic interventions reflect a struggle to anchor identity and belonging in the sheer materiality of the site. Some of the most striking images, illustrating the residents’ appropriation of the space, are presented in full scale to engage the viewer and foster a dialogue with the surroundings.

Zmekhol is renowned for her ability to intertwine personal narratives with global issues, offering intimate portraits of marginalized communities. Through her sensitive approach, she amplifies the voices of these groups while exploring the social and cultural dynamics that shape their realities, revealing deeply human stories within a broader context. The Brazilian-American filmmaker, producer, and photographer is known for her documentaries on social, cultural, and environmental issues. Born in Brazil, she studied in São Paulo before moving to the United States to further her education. She transitioned into documentary filmmaking after working as a director for cultural and educational television programs. Her documentary Children of the Amazon (2008), which examines the effects of deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon, garnered her notable recognition. Her latest film, Pele de Vidro, combines emotional reflection on her relationship with her father and the history of the iconic skyscraper he designed in São Paulo. The film has been nominated and shortlisted at several prestigious film festivals worldwide and was awarded Best Documentary at the Milano Design Film Festival 2024.

The images are taken from the film Skin Of Glass, a co-production by Denise Zmekhol acting as ZDfilms and ITVS, funded by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB).

Click here to see the trailer for the film.