Private Project

VAL

VAL (written & co-directed by Brazilian-born actor Ursula Monteiro) tells the story of Valeria (Ursula Monteiro) who after a very troubling breakup has grown frustrated with her family. Just as the Coronavirus pandemic is beginning, Valeria’s life is doubly turned upside down when her convicted ex-boyfriend suddenly shows up, forcing her to face her life head-on and make big decisions for her future.

  • Ursula Monteiro
    Director
  • Bruno Sabongi
    Director
  • Ursula Monteiro
    Writer
  • Lisa Kalil de Almeida
    Producer
  • Henrique Osse
    Producer
  • Paulo Silvio
    Producer
  • Ursula Monteiro
    Key Cast
    "Valeria"
  • Victor Silveira
    Key Cast
    "Mateus"
  • Luiz Ratto
    Key Cast
    "Fernando"
  • Luciana Camargo
    Key Cast
    "Marina"
  • Wladimir José Pereira
    Key Cast
    "Prefeito Carlos"
  • Cezar Brandão
    Composer
    From the dust of the earth, O Mar de Helena, Bem-Vindo de Volta, Tainá e os Guardiões da Amazônia
  • Eduardo Freire
    Editor
    3%, Omniscient
  • Mateus Gageiro
    Sound Mix
  • Paulo Navajas
    Color Grading
  • Project Title (Original Language):
    VAL
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    15 minutes 17 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    July 1, 2021
  • Production Budget:
    7,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Brazil
  • Country of Filming:
    Brazil
  • Language:
    Portuguese
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Ursula Monteiro, Bruno Sabongi

Ursula Monteiro is a Brazilian born actor, director, screenwriter and photographer. She began her acting career at eight years old in her hometown Taubate, Sao Paulo. At the age of eighteen, Ursula moved to New York City to pursue her dream of working in theater and film; in 2016 she graduated from Marymount Manhattan College where she earned a B.A in Theatre, with a concentration in Performing Arts and Directing. Ursula also holds a degree in Acting from the Atlantic Acting School.
After years of perfectioning her acting craft, in 2018 Ursula started to write and direct her own film projects. In 2020, during the Covid-19 pandemic, Ursula produced her short film debut VAL, and a sketch comedy web-series called Never Mind (to be released this fall).

BRUNO - Bruno Sabongi is a Brazilian born filmmaker, founder of PhonoXXI Filmes, production company in Sao Paulo hired to assist Ursula Monteiro in her film VAL. Bruno holds a degree in Film and Advertising from FAAP - Fundação Armando Alvares Penteado. He has directed six other short-films, some of which have been selected to various film festivals around the world, such as: FAN CHILE, ICFF - (Indian Cine Film Fest), Bakatá - IX Festival de Cine: Infancia y Adolescencia "Ciudad de Bogotá."

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Director Statement

The ability to replicate a true story from a woman’s point of view, through images and storytelling in a way that touches one’s soul, fascinates me. A film can make a person experience different realities and can even change the way one sees the world. Making movies is more than a passion, it is my life’s purpose.