Reaching for the Moon (2013)
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.
Director: Bruno Barreto
![]() |
Miranda Otto as Elizabeth Bishop |
![]() |
Glória Pires as Lota de Macedo Soares |
![]() |
Tracy Middendorf as Mary Morse |
![]() |
Treat Williams as Robert Lowell |
![]() |
Marcello Airoldi as Carlos Lacerda |
![]() |
Lola Kirke as Margaret |
![]() |
Luciana Souza as Joana |
![]() |
Tânia Costa as Dindinha |
![]() |
Marianna Mac Nieven as Malú |
| Directing | Bruno Barreto | Director |
| Art | José Joaquim Salles | Production Design |
| Production | Lucy Barreto | Producer |
| Production | Paula Barreto | Producer |
| Costume & Make-Up | Marcelo Picchi | Costume Design |
| Sound | Alessandro Laroca | Sound Designer |
| Camera | Mauro Pinheiro Jr. | Director of Photography |
| Editing | Mauro Pinheiro Jr. | Editor |
| Writing | Matthew Chapman | Writer |
| Production | Paula Barreto | Executive Producer |
| Writing | Bruno Barreto | Writer |
| Sound | Marcelo Zarvos | Original Music Composer |
| Art | Clara Rocha | Set Decoration |
| Production | Avy Kaufman | Casting |
| Costume & Make-Up | Marcelo Pies | Costume Design |
| Production | Marcia Andrade | Casting |
| Directing | Annika Hagen | Script Supervisor |
| Costume & Make-Up | Valeria Stefani | Costume Assistant |