Blindness
Plot Summary
Adapted from Nobel Laureate Jose Saramago’s masterwork, BLINDNESS is a harrowing tale about the fragility of mankind. Directed by the Academy Award® nominated (City Of God) Fernando Meirelles, from a screenplay by the Tony Award® winning (The Drowsy Chaperone) Don McKellar, BLINDNESS stars Julianne Moore, Mark Ruffalo, Alice Braga, Danny Glover and Gael Garcia Bernal.
Evocative of the recent SARS epidemic, or occurrences in the New Orleans Super Dome during Hurricane Katrina, BLINDNESS takes place in a city which is ravaged by an epidemic of instant “white blindness”. Those first afflicted are quarantined by the authorities in an abandoned mental hospital where the newly created “society of the blind” quickly breaks down. Criminals and the physically powerful prey upon the weak, hording the meager food rations and committing horrific acts.
There is, however, one eyewitness to the nightmare; a oman whose sight is unaffected by the plague follows her afflicted husband to quarantine. There, keeping her sight a secret, she guides seven strangers who have become, in essence, a family. She leads them out of quarantine and onto the ravaged streets of the city, which has seen all vestiges of civilization crumble. Their voyage is fraught with danger, yet their survival and ultimate redemption reflect the tenacity and depth of the human spirit.
BLINDNESS reminds us of the shocking fragility of our social institutions, the thin veneer of our “civilized” world, and the responsibility for every individual to protect their dignity at all costs.
Latest from Blindness
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Alice Braga Talks ‘Blindness’ & Choosing Nude Scenes
Read More »Complex.com talks to brazilian actress Alicia Braga about her latest role in "Blindess". Braga plays a call girl who is infected by an epidemic of blindness and forcibly quarantined with other newly blind people. The actress talks about being blindfolded for blindness training and what it was like to act without sight. She also touches on the nude scenes of the film, and what "Blindness" has to say about human nature and cruelty.
"...I do try myself to understand the necessity of nudity in that specific project. If it’s something that I don’t believe is necessary, I won’t do it, but if it’s something that completely fits and is part of the storyline of the character and the character’s moment, I don’t mind doing it..."
Read the full interview here.
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Julianne Moore revels in chance to work with Meirelles in 'Blindness'
Read More »The Morning Sun has sat down with "Blindness" star Julianne Moore. Moore talks about watching her own films, and the message of "Blindness". Moore stars alongside Mark Ruffalo, Gael Garcia Berna, Alice Braga, and Yusuke Iseya. "Blindness" opens in theaters October 3rd.
"...movies are always exploring these different kinds of emotional dynamics. And as actors, we’re forced to explore them. Because of that, I’d like to think that it helps keep me more conscious. Otherwise, why would you do it? Because you’re chasing fame? That would be a horrible thing..."
Read the full interview here.
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Blindness bound for Vancouver
Read More »The Hollywood Reporter has posted an article on 'Blindness'. Directed by Fernando Meirelles, the film was written by Don McKellar and stars Julianne Moore. She plays the only person who hasn't lost her sight after a mysterious disease breaks out. The film will be opening the 27th annual Vancouver Film Festiva. Festival organizers say they received a large amount of politically provocative material this year.
"...We went through a period where terror and war were on filmmakers' minds, and therefore on audience minds..."
Read the full article here.
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