You can learn a lot about a culture by people-watching.

In Praia, director Guilherme B. Hoffmann plunks us right in the middle of Rio de Janeiro’s Copacabana Beach. Filmed over two years, it starts with Instagram–perfect shots of revellers partying at night, taking selfies against starburst fireworks and bumping-and-grinding to Latin hip-hop.

Hoffmann starts rolling next morning during the cleanup, turning the camera first on himself as he encourages locals to cut his flowing hair as an icebreaker. From there, it’s the beachgoing public that stars, as the director sets his camera up in the sand and then encourages folks to talk like it’s not there.

We get bottle pickers discussing who works the hardest, peanut venders getting their grind on to the delight of horny sun-worshippers, and seemingly demure Japanese women who talk about loving Brazil despite how “fucking far” it is from home. Those for whom everything is a conspiracy will enjoy the spirited musings about who exactly benefited most from the recent Olympics.

In this increasingly unaffordable city, taking a vacation anywhere other than your local park has become a pipe dream. After Praia, you’ll feel like you’ve met a few dozen of your fellow humans in a new and exotic location. As a bonus, you’ll know Brazil a little better than those who don’t get further than the Belmond Copacabana Palace ever will.