Querida Rosa
Salt Lake City, Utah | Film Short
Drama, Shorts Program
What would you do if the person you cherish the most couldn't remember who you are? Based on a personal experience, Querida Rosa dives into the challenges of living with someone suffering from Alzheimer's, as they slowly fade right in front of your eyes, and there's nothing you can do about it.
Querida Rosa
Salt Lake City, Utah | Film Short
Drama, Shorts Program
2 Campaigns | Utah, United States
Green Light
This campaign raised $5,212 for pre-production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
22 supporters | followers
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What would you do if the person you cherish the most couldn't remember who you are? Based on a personal experience, Querida Rosa dives into the challenges of living with someone suffering from Alzheimer's, as they slowly fade right in front of your eyes, and there's nothing you can do about it.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Rui, 49, cares for his elderly mother, Rose, 78, as her memory slowly fades from Alzheimer’s. Rose has lived in the same house her entire life, and for the past six years, Rui has reshaped his own life around caring for her, adapting their home and routines as her needs change.
Their days are quiet and built around small rituals. They tend the garden, share meals, and whistle to each other a song they've known since forever. As Rose’s memories start slipping, the house grows increasingly silent and these brief and precious moments become fragile points of connection between the two of them.
The story follows their daily struggles and gentle gestures, staying close to the rhythms of caregiving and presence. Through repetition, routine, and observation, it builds toward a final moment in which Rose feels Rui’s familiar presence, even though she can no longer recognize it.
Why Am I Making This Film?
I was born and raised in Brazil for most of my life, and my grandmother used to live with me. We have always shared music in common, specially a song called "Eu só quero um Xodó" by Dominguinhos, that we would sing together. Even years after she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, music still reached her, so it became the last bridge between us.
Last winter, I returned home and sang the song to her again. For the first time, she didn’t sing it back. That moment lives inside this film, and so does my deepest fear, that one day my mother might also be diagnosed with Alzheimer's. Living far from my family has made that fear stronger. Not being there to witness the everyday life, to share ordinary moments, or to be present through changes is something that I carry with me. This film comes from that distance and from the desire to hold onto what remains.
Why Now?
After seeing that not even the song we've shared since childhood was able to reach her, I've realized that this is all a matter of time. How much time I still have left with her. As memory loss touches more and more families, this film reflects a reality that many people go through but stay quiet about it and often endure by themselves. It is a response to that growing, shared experience and a call to action for everyone to pay attention and be present while still possible.
Where Are We Now?
We are currently casting and assembling our crew. We are prioritizing Brazilian actors and actresses and bringing together a team I have worked closely with before. Many of us collaborated on my previous short film, Lyla, which was shot on 35mm and also supported through crowdfunding. This film is scheduled to shoot in March, and I am deeply committed to telling this story with care and attention to detail.
Where Are We Filming?
Ideally, this film would be shot in Brazil, in Manaus, the city where I grew up. Unfortunately, that is not realistic within our budget, so we will be filming in Salt Lake City, Utah. We are searching for locations that can similarly reflect the environment and atmosphere of my home.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Actors
Costs $1,200
The actress for Rosa and the actor for Rui are integral to telling this story authentically. Ideally, they'll be Brazilian and familial.
Location
Costs $1,200
The location must depict how Rosa used to live, work, and provide for her family. We wish to show the culture this story is told.
Costumes
Costs $500
We want culturally relevant clothing that allows us to show the passage of time day by day.
Set Design + Props
Costs $800
Cultural Items, Plants, a greenhouse, Crystals, and a Wheelchair are just a few of the props and set pieces we need for this story.
Crafty & Catering
Costs $800
People need to eat to be healthy and work!
Insurance
Costs $500
We need to cover equipment so we don't go broke.
Lenses
Costs $1,000
To create the feel and state of mind of the characters throughout the whole film.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
I'm Vini Goncalves, the Director of Querida Rosa!
I have shot many films. Some of which were shot on 35mm motion picture film.
I am making this project because it explores the fear of losing memories, something very personal to me. My grandmother has lived in the same house with me in Brazil since I was little, and we always shared a song that we would sing together. Since music is often the last memory to fade, I kept singing with her even after she had been living with Alzheimer’s for 10 years. When I went back home last summer, I sang the song again, but for the first time, she didn’t respond, and that really affected me. That moment will be on Querida Rosa.
Hello, this is Shane, the DP for Dear Rose.
In the past, I have DP'd for both digital and film formats. For Querida Rosa, I hope to capture a portrait of Rose's life. Though this story is about the son of Rose, the story is also heavily about the loss of someone's life through memory. I feel this project is important to me personally because I've had experience with a family member suffering from dementia. I wish to represent this as best I can through the beauty and sorrow of visual memory.
I plan to use the Arri Mini LF with vintage photographic lenses to achieve an old memory portrait effect.
Hey, my name is Fe Pinaffi, and I am the producer of Querida Rosa!
I’m a filmmaker from Brazil, and I’m incredibly excited to be part of this project. Casting a full Brazilian cast while filming in Utah will certainly be a challenge, but one we’re eager to take on. Many people have experienced the pain of watching a loved one suffer from illness and feeling unable to help. That shared experience is what makes this story so emotional and universally relatable. I’m honored to help bring this film to life and to do justice to Vini’s vision.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Rui, 49, cares for his elderly mother, Rose, 78, as her memory slowly fades from Alzheimer’s. Rose has lived in the same house her entire life, and for the past six years, Rui has reshaped his own life around caring for her, adapting their home and routines as her needs change.
Their days are quiet and built around small rituals. They tend the garden, share meals, and whistle to each other a song they've known since forever. As Rose’s memories start slipping, the house grows increasingly silent and these brief and precious moments become fragile points of connection between the two of them.
The story follows their daily struggles and gentle gestures, staying close to the rhythms of caregiving and presence. Through repetition, routine, and observation, it builds toward a final moment in which Rose feels Rui’s familiar presence, even though she can no longer recognize it.
Why Am I Making This Film?
I was born and raised in Brazil for most of my life, and my grandmother used to live with me. We have always shared music in common, specially a song called "Eu só quero um Xodó" by Dominguinhos, that we would sing together. Even years after she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, music still reached her, so it became the last bridge between us.
Last winter, I returned home and sang the song to her again. For the first time, she didn’t sing it back. That moment lives inside this film, and so does my deepest fear, that one day my mother might also be diagnosed with Alzheimer's. Living far from my family has made that fear stronger. Not being there to witness the everyday life, to share ordinary moments, or to be present through changes is something that I carry with me. This film comes from that distance and from the desire to hold onto what remains.
Why Now?
After seeing that not even the song we've shared since childhood was able to reach her, I've realized that this is all a matter of time. How much time I still have left with her. As memory loss touches more and more families, this film reflects a reality that many people go through but stay quiet about it and often endure by themselves. It is a response to that growing, shared experience and a call to action for everyone to pay attention and be present while still possible.
Where Are We Now?
We are currently casting and assembling our crew. We are prioritizing Brazilian actors and actresses and bringing together a team I have worked closely with before. Many of us collaborated on my previous short film, Lyla, which was shot on 35mm and also supported through crowdfunding. This film is scheduled to shoot in March, and I am deeply committed to telling this story with care and attention to detail.
Where Are We Filming?
Ideally, this film would be shot in Brazil, in Manaus, the city where I grew up. Unfortunately, that is not realistic within our budget, so we will be filming in Salt Lake City, Utah. We are searching for locations that can similarly reflect the environment and atmosphere of my home.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Actors
Costs $1,200
The actress for Rosa and the actor for Rui are integral to telling this story authentically. Ideally, they'll be Brazilian and familial.
Location
Costs $1,200
The location must depict how Rosa used to live, work, and provide for her family. We wish to show the culture this story is told.
Costumes
Costs $500
We want culturally relevant clothing that allows us to show the passage of time day by day.
Set Design + Props
Costs $800
Cultural Items, Plants, a greenhouse, Crystals, and a Wheelchair are just a few of the props and set pieces we need for this story.
Crafty & Catering
Costs $800
People need to eat to be healthy and work!
Insurance
Costs $500
We need to cover equipment so we don't go broke.
Lenses
Costs $1,000
To create the feel and state of mind of the characters throughout the whole film.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
I'm Vini Goncalves, the Director of Querida Rosa!
I have shot many films. Some of which were shot on 35mm motion picture film.
I am making this project because it explores the fear of losing memories, something very personal to me. My grandmother has lived in the same house with me in Brazil since I was little, and we always shared a song that we would sing together. Since music is often the last memory to fade, I kept singing with her even after she had been living with Alzheimer’s for 10 years. When I went back home last summer, I sang the song again, but for the first time, she didn’t respond, and that really affected me. That moment will be on Querida Rosa.
Hello, this is Shane, the DP for Dear Rose.
In the past, I have DP'd for both digital and film formats. For Querida Rosa, I hope to capture a portrait of Rose's life. Though this story is about the son of Rose, the story is also heavily about the loss of someone's life through memory. I feel this project is important to me personally because I've had experience with a family member suffering from dementia. I wish to represent this as best I can through the beauty and sorrow of visual memory.
I plan to use the Arri Mini LF with vintage photographic lenses to achieve an old memory portrait effect.
Hey, my name is Fe Pinaffi, and I am the producer of Querida Rosa!
I’m a filmmaker from Brazil, and I’m incredibly excited to be part of this project. Casting a full Brazilian cast while filming in Utah will certainly be a challenge, but one we’re eager to take on. Many people have experienced the pain of watching a loved one suffer from illness and feeling unable to help. That shared experience is what makes this story so emotional and universally relatable. I’m honored to help bring this film to life and to do justice to Vini’s vision.