Marcelo Gomes and Karim Ainouz collaboratively wrote and directed this story of a man dealing with changes in the Earth and in his own life. Jose Renato (Irandhir Santos) is a geologist who has been sent to the Sertao region of Northeast Brazil on an assignment -- a canal has been proposed that would redirect the flow of a large river through a region of the desert that's in need of water. However, as Jose tries to determine how viable the canal would be given the land and minerals in the area, he discovers that the people of Sertao are of two minds about the project -- while it would bring new life to the dry and dusty land, it would also force hundreds of people to give up their homes and start again somewhere else. As Jose ponders the geological facts and personal feelings about the new canal, he can't help but think of his own circumstances: his wife left him shortly before he set out on his trip, and despite plenty of conversations with himself and a few assignations with prostitutes, he's wildly certain about how he feels or where he stands. Viajo Porque Preciso, Volto Porque Te Amo (aka I Travel Because I Have To, I Come Back Because I Love You) was an official selection at the 2009 Venice International Film Festival.