Area Q

Lore & Background

The film follows Thomas Mathews, an award-winning reporter whose son disappears. A year later, obsessed and facing losing his home and job, his boss offers him a special project: investigate UFO sightings, close encounters, and abductions in Ceará, Brazil, specifically in the cities of Quixadá and Quixeramobim, known as 'Area Q'. During his investigations, Thomas meets João Batista, a man with answers about the area and about his son. Thomas gradually realizes he is about to experience the greatest discovery of his life.

Reader's Guide

Area Q is a 2011 science fiction film that blends American and Brazilian production elements. Its significance lies in its focus on the real-world region of Quixadá and Quixeramobim in Ceará, which the film dubs 'Area Q'—a reference to the area's reputation for UFO sightings. The film's narrative centers on a journalist's personal loss and his subsequent investigation into extraterrestrial phenomena, using the Brazilian setting as a backdrop for a story about obsession and discovery. The cast includes Isaiah Washington, known for his role in Grey's Anatomy, alongside Brazilian actors Tania Khalill and Murilo Rosa. The film was shot on location in Los Angeles and multiple sites in Ceará, giving it a distinct visual identity. While not a major blockbuster, it represents a cross-cultural collaboration in science fiction cinema and highlights a lesser-known region associated with UFO lore.

Did You Know?

• The film was shot in Los Angeles and multiple locations in the Brazilian state of Ceará.
• The cities of Quixadá and Quixeramobim in Ceará are referred to as 'Area Q' in the film.
• The director is Gerson Sanginitto.
• Isaiah Washington plays the lead role of Thomas Mathews, a reporter investigating UFO sightings.