Reaching for the Moon

In 1951, New York poet Elizabeth Bishop travels to Rio de Janeiro to visit Mary, a college friend. The shy Elizabeth is overwhelmed by Brazilian sensuality. She is the antithesis to Mary’s dashing partner, architect Lota de Macedo Soares. Mary is jealous, but unconventional Lota is determined to have both women at all costs. This eternal triangle plays out against the backdrop of the military coup of 1964. Bishop’s moving poems are at the core of a film which lushly illustrates a crucial phase in the life of this influential Pulitzer prize-winning poet.

• 
  Miranda Otto

  Elizabeth Bishop
• 
  Glória Pires

  Lota de Macedo Soares
• 
  Tracy Middendorf

  Mary Morse
• 
  Treat Williams

  Robert Lowell
• 
  Marcello Airoldi

  Carlos Lacerda
• 
  Lola Kirke

  Margaret
• 
  Luciana Souza

  Joana