Nominated for the Crystal Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival, and for a Grand Jury Prize (World Cinema, Dramatic) at the Sundance Film Festival, this acclaimed film is set on the dangerous border between modern-day Brazil and Paraguay, where a war is brewing between rival gangs on either side. Caught in the middle, Brazilian 13-year-old Joca has fallen in love with Basano, a spirited indigenous Paraguayan girl, and is determined to win her over regardless of the consequences. When Joca's brother becomes involved with the violence, Basano receives unwanted affections of an older boy in her village, Joca must decide where his own loyalties lie. Mixing professional and nonprofessional actors in three languages, DON'T SWALLOW MY HEART, ALLIGATOR GIRL! is an alluring vision of a dreamscape haunted by violence where young love struggles to take root.