Sofia: a documentary is a masterful story of the power of one, following dreams and never giving up. Constantly troubled by poverty and social unrest, Peru is an emerging Third World country that is in dire need of role models. Unbeknown to Sofia Mulanovich, she would become one the biggest role models in Peruvian history, simply by doing what she loves the most: surfing.
Born into Peru's terrorist state during the 1980s, Sofia found surfing as an escape. Today she is in Hawaii pursuing her childhood dream of becoming a World Champion surfer, something that has never been achieved in modern day surfing history by a South American. Join photographer Renzo Giraldo on assignment as he embarks on a journey to uncover how one girl defies perceptions and stereotypes while learning to believe in herself and inspire a nation in the process. Sofia tells the story of how an unlikely heroine has inspired a new energy within her developing nation. It demonstrates how Sofia embodies Perus new wave toward progress, proving the statement Si se puede! (Yes, you can!)
Join photographer Renzo Giraldo on assignment as he embarks on a journey to uncover how one girl defies perceptions and stereotypes while learning to believe in herself and inspire a nation in the process.
The film challenged conventional documentary style, which garnered critical acclaim. “Inspired by Fredrick Wiseman, I decided to break from the use of talking heads and provide a driving narrative, overlaying interviews with active vignettes of the subjects in their natural environment. This made for a more compelling film and allowed the audience to immerse themselves into the country of Peru, Sofia’s quest to the World Title in Hawaii and the colorful inner-circle which propelled her to the top of her sport.
