Rule 34, a feature directed by Brazilian filmmaker Giulia Murat, earned the prestigious Golden Leopard at the Locarno Film Festival in Switzerland. The film has been discussed within festival circles and has drawn attention on video platforms and festival channels for its bold storytelling and provocative framing. The title itself nods to an internet meme that often reframes significant social phenomena through a scandalous or pornographic lens, inviting viewers to question how online culture shapes perceptions of real-world events.
The narrative centers on the experiences of Brazilian women confronting sexual violence, offering a lens into the resilience and collective voice of survivors. The film does more than recount events; it asks hard questions about accountability, memory, and the social structures that perpetuate harm. Through its tense, intimate scenes and carefully crafted pacing, the story invites audiences to witness both personal vulnerability and the broader cultural context that shapes these experiences. This approach has sparked conversations about representation, consent, and the ethical responsibilities of documentary makers when dealing with sensitive subjects.
In previous programming cycles, the work has traveled to various venues and received support from cultural initiatives that aim to bring challenging documentary projects to wider audiences. One notable presentation occurred in Moscow at the October cinema center, where a curated selection was shown with the backing of a contemporary art project that supports immersive documentary storytelling. The program highlighted international collaborations and the cross-pollination of ideas across borders, underscoring the global relevance of the film and the conversations it generates within the documentary community.
Over a span of ten days, audiences were offered a diverse slate of new cinema from around the world, including features and documentaries from 25 countries. A number of works in the lineup marked their first Russian screenings, bringing fresh perspectives to local audiences and expanding the cultural conversation surrounding contemporary film. The festival programming also drew on a lineage of acclaimed filmmakers and recent prizewinners from major institutions and festivals. Attendees could expect selections linked to recognized film events such as Berlinale, IDFA in Amsterdam, Hot Docs in Toronto, and Copenhagen’s CPH:DOX, among others, which helps situate Rule 34 within a broader ecosystem of contemporary documentary cinema and associated critical discourse. The aim of this programming strategy is to showcase both established voices and emergent talents, fostering dialogue between creators and viewers while highlighting the evolving landscape of documentary storytelling across global communities. [citation: festival organizers]