20 Hours

20 Hours is a 1976 film by Cristove Vianna which takes place in an elevator. It is widely considered to be his best work and a "visual masterpiece". It won awards at the Rosetown International Film Festival for best actor and director, and was widely praised for its take on live and love.

Plot
A pair of ordinary people enter an elevator. Both have one thing in common, a sad and superficial life. While going up the building, the elevator gets jammed. At first, they are frantically calling out for help, but quickly realizing it will be a while in such a small box, they begin to talk. The two closed and unattached people are left to open up. Within a few hours, the two break down and are telling their life stories; the pains and difficulties and the lovelessness of their lives being held in common, as well as the constant bore with their situation.

Having just opened up their secrets to a stranger, the two then form a bond which soon turns into a deep affection, and ultimately love; never before had they experienced such true feelings for someone. Soon, they are making love and culminate their experiences with the ultimate form of expression: love.

After twenty hours, rescue workers are finally able to free the two from the elevator. The two come out, not having known the other's name, into the world with a new outlook on life and love.

Release and reception
The film was released in the spring of 1976 in both English and Dutch. Initially the film was a flop, but rave reviews by critics for its avant-garde style and concept saw it become a popular film.