The idea that the journey is more important than the destination is an accurate description for Shine Your Eyes. Amadi (OC Ukeje), a Nigerian musician, travels to São Paulo with the mission of finding his older brother Ikenna (Chukwudi Iwuji) and bringing him back to home.

After migrating to Brazil and getting a job as a college professor, Ikenna has suddenly disappeared without a trace. His mother is worried about not hearing news from her eldest son because, by the tradition of the Igbo, Ikenna should be in charge of the family when the father is absent. Meanwhile, Amadi has had a close and special relationship with Ikenna since their childhood. Even as a grown man, Amadi still feels something weird and magical about the connection with his brother.

Lately, Amadi has experienced strange dreams that have made him feel closer to Ikenna. In some legends taught back home, a person can become reincarnated inside another who is already alive. Swinging from skepticism to superstition, Amadi doesn’t entirely dismiss this possibility.

Because he doesn’t have enough clues to find Ikenna, he decides to follow a hypothetical map to visit the places and people Ikenna encountered during his time in São Paulo. At least Amadi is able to rescue his brother’s laptop, full of documents and emails with cryptic messages. As a result, he quickly learns that many of the things his brother said about his life were lies: the college where he said he worked doesn’t actually exist.

Without knowing if Ikenna is dead or hiding, Amadi seems inclined to trust his instincts instead of making use of the most logical resources. (No police or detectives are involved in the search.) In that sense, an equation written by Ikenna on a piece of paper is a crucial clue only because Amadi thinks it’s a message from his brother.

As in any odyssey, the places and people along the way allow Amadi to discover important things about himself, and not just about Ikenna’s fate. São Paulo looks like a dreamy place (not exactly a compliment), where you are unsure if it’s in ruins or a state of reconstruction. Amadi’s experience often seems trapped in the perception between reality and dreams, whether on a rooftop overlooking the city or in the depths of a nightclub. So don’t blame yourself if you get easily lost in keeping track of Amadi’s steps. It’s never entirely clear if the film embraces fantasy or is accompanying someone who may or may not believe in it, and that’s part of its charm.

The film also surprises viewers for its most conventional aspects. For example, Amadi only speaks in English and the Igbo dialect, but he always manages to communicate with others when those languages are not sufficient. This is particularly bittersweet and endearing in his relationship with Emilia (Indira Nascimento), an ex-lover of his brother. They bond in spite of speaking different languages. Amadi tells stories about his life, and she listens caringly. Enjoying someone’s company is a language by itself, something that two people establish through mutual understanding, even when words fail them.

Shine Your Eyes, the first feature by Brazilian filmmaker Matias Mariani, cares more about asking questions than getting answers. As a viewing experience, I would suggest you go with the flow. The reward is a seemingly intimate film, but one that is truly special and delivers a unique journey.