Toritama is a small town in the northeast of Brazil, part of a poor, neglected region known as the Argeste. Most of the population is self-employed producing jeans and it’s a place dominated by cramped factory units converted from domestic homes. Without union representation or much concern for working conditions, many devote long, unsociable hours to stitching and styling while looking forward to the only holiday of the year, an eight-day festival when the entire town heads to the beach. Marcelo Gomes’ compassionate observational documentary is warmly entertaining while also making salient points about the dignity of labour. MH

Second Chance: Sun, 10th Nov 2019