3ão: An Endless Story – A Hilariously Dark Journey Through the High School Abyss
Este filme é um presente aos alunos do terceiro ano médio 2023 da ESCA. Apesar de um ano difícil, sabemos que nem tudo foi estudo, e tristeza. In fact, just when you think high school can’t get any weirder, 3ão takes you on a rollercoaster ride through the absurdities of teenage life, complete with existential dread and questionable life choices.
Our protagonist, João, is your average high schooler—if by “average” you mean someone who spends more time contemplating the meaning of life than actually studying. As he stumbles through his final year, he’s haunted by the ghost of his past mistakes, which, in this case, is represented by a talking backpack that dispenses unsolicited advice. Yes, you read that right. The backpack is both a metaphor and a literal character, which leads to some delightful absurdities. Who knew that a bag could be so emotionally supportive?
The film dives deep into the various cliques in school: the overachievers, the slackers, and the drama queens. At one point, the drama club holds a production that’s hilariously terrible, featuring a musical number about the existential crisis of a sandwich. Spoiler alert: the sandwich doesn’t make it out alive, and neither do the audience members’ eardrums. It’s a fitting metaphor for João’s own struggles—he’s just trying to find his place in a world that seems determined to crush him under the weight of homework and social expectations.
As graduation approaches, João’s life spirals further into chaos. He accidentally becomes the leader of a rebellion against the school’s oppressive homework policy after a particularly bad experience with a math test that felt more like a medieval torture session than an assessment of knowledge. The ensuing chaos is nothing short of hilarious, as students band together, armed with calculators and a questionable understanding of algebra.
In a darkly comedic twist, João discovers that his backpack not only gives advice but also has the power to grant wishes—though the wishes come with a hefty price. Want to ace that math test? Sure, but you might also have to give up your ability to taste pizza forever. The stakes couldn’t be higher, and yet, the absurdity keeps you laughing through the tears.
In the climax, a showdown occurs during the graduation ceremony, where João must confront not just his classmates but also the embodiment of all his fears—represented by a giant inflatable version of his math teacher. The scene is both ridiculous and strangely poignant, as João finally learns to embrace the chaos of his life rather than run from it. Who knew that inflatable teachers could be so enlightening?
Ultimately, 3ão: An Endless Story is a love letter to all the students who have ever felt lost, overwhelmed, or just plain confused. It’s a reminder that even in the darkest of times, humor can find a way to shine through—often in the form of a talking backpack or a rebellious group of students willing to take on the system. So, grab your emotional baggage (and maybe a snack), because this wild ride through the trials of high school is one you won’t want to miss!