The story follows (Igor Regalla), a young man who travels from Cape Verde to Lisbon following his mother’s death to find his estranged father, Valdo, a former boxing champion.
: Gabriel's quest for his father leads him to a rundown estate where he moves in with his aunt Alice.
: Bernardo draws from a "Ken Loach-style" realism, focusing on the lack of job prospects and the "uncompromising realism" of life in high-rise flats. PT-PT Gabriel Drama 2019 1h 33m 5.9
Reviewers found the movie's authenticity a major draw, even if the plot felt familiar.
“Igor Regalla gives the film a heart with his disarmingly warm central performance as a young fighter from Cape Verde... But the film's claim to uncompromising realism is let down by a few cliched scenes that feel recycled.” The Guardian · 6 years ago The story follows (Igor Regalla), a young man
“Offering a social and political commentary, the film Gabriel does not spoon-feed its audience... It will appeal to many given its emotional emphasis.” Franglais27 Tales · 6 years ago
Directed by , the 2019 Portuguese drama Gabriel is a gritty, naturalistic exploration of identity and survival within Lisbon’s Cape Verdean immigrant community. While it follows a familiar boxing-movie structure, its "deep" value lies in its social commentary on the everyday racism and economic marginalization faced by those living on the city's periphery. Narrative & Core Conflict Reviewers found the movie's authenticity a major draw,
: Reviewers from The Guardian mention that while the film uses common boxing tropes, it captures an authentic atmosphere of the Lisbon outskirts.