In a country likeBrazil,cinema has been with the nationsince the birth of the medium. Only months after the Lumiere Brothers unveiled their newest invention, Rio de Janeiro found itself in one of the world’s first exhibitions of motion pictures as a medium. At the turn of the century, and the arrival of the 1900s, film became something very popular in Brazil, which had been almost independent of the Portuguese for a century by that point. However, while film was popular within the country, many of these movies weren’t exported for international consumption. Silent films were all the rage in Brazilian culture during the early periods of film, although a lack of representation could be seen among the stars of the period.
But it wasn’t until after World War II that the country’s national cinema scene began to pick up steam and create the industry that is known today.Telenovelas even became a conceptin the ’40s and were a part of Brazilian entertainment, and directors began to focus on diversity and critical commentary on class and politics within their films. Today, Brazilian movies are an excellent glimpse into life in the Latin American country because of how they continue this tradition of casting a critical gaze towards the culture. Here are 10 must-watch Brazilian movies to get you started.
10Black Orpheus (1959)
Although Marcel Camus’ stunning filmBlack Orpheuswas lauded internationally when it was first released back in 1959, winning the Palme d’Or and the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film, it has since garnered valid criticism from Brazilians due to its portrayal of the country and its people. The film utilizes the legend of Orpheus and Eurydice, which is Greek, and transplants it into a slum in Rio during a carnival. Filled with vibrant music, one can only hope these jilted lovers can continue their romance.
Why It’s Worth Watching
WhileBlack Orpheushas been praised by international audiences, films like these, despite their awards, serve as a reminder as to what it means to potentially creative collaborative work with local populations. PerhapsBlack Orpheuswould have looked different if made by a local director, rather than a French one, but while knowing the movie’s faults going into it and using a critical eye, we can dig deeper into what it actually means to be Brazilian independent of the lens of an outsider — which is what we see inBlack Oprheus.
Stream on The Criterion Channel
9City of God (2002)
City of Godis anepic crime movieset in a suburb of Rio de Janeiro, where a working class neighborhood is referred to as “city of God.” Built in the ’60s as a housing project, the movie begins with three thieves hiding out from the police there. When they hold up a motel to steal from the people staying there, a massacre happens, and they’re forced to go on the run. This is only the precursor of what’s to come, as organized crime is going to take over the favela over the course of the upcoming years.
Set in the slums of Rio de Janeiro,City of Godis a reminder of the lengths people go through in order to survive in their daily lives. While those from higher socioeconomic classes might look down on those barely making it,City of Godputs names and faces to the everyday people who’ve found they have no other choice when it comes to survival.
Stream on Paramount+
WhenElite Squadwas released in 2007, it became a massive success. No one had expected it to become as big as it was in Brazil, and when it screened at the Berlin Film Festival, it even took home the Golden Bear. The film is set on the eve of Pope John Paul II coming to visit Brazil. Its main character, Roberto, is a captain with the special police, and they’re planning to crackdown on the poorest neighborhoods, or favelas, to prepare for the Pope’s arrival.
Elite Squadis a deeper look and investigation into the role police play when it comes to state-enforced violence in Brazil, especially when it comes to the poorer neighborhoods throughout the country. Full of corruption and shocking content at times, this is the reality of many people living within the country, especially the capital city.
Stream on Prime Video
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7Entranced Earth (1967)
Well-known director, actor, and screenwriter Glauber Rocha was involved with the making ofEntranced Earth, which came out in Brazil during the ’60s as a part of the Cinema Novo movement in the country. Itsmain character is a writerwho is in a particular sort of situation, as when he was younger, he switched political parties. Despite believing in the liberal candidate, the candidate wins and doesn’t hold up to what he promised, creating a peculiar series of circumstances.
Despite the movie originally being banned in Brazil because of its content,Entranced Earthwas well-loved around the world and even took home an award at Cannes that year. It has some plot issues, but cinematography in this movie is gorgeous to watch, making it such a visual pleasure throughout its running time.
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6Four Days in September (1997)
Released in 1997,Four Days in Septemberis loosely based on real events. In 1969, the American Ambassador to Brazil was kidnapped by members of two political organizations, and a memoir based on the events served as a loose form of inspiration for the plot. The movie dramatizes and fictionalizes the kidnapping of the ambassador, and follows the protesters and comrades as they make the decision to do what they did.
Although the movie is a fictional take on what happened, it is an example of the other side of world events. Often, Hollywood and American movies depict their side of the story, but through movies likeFour Days in September, we can come to understand what brings people to do certain actions.
5The Way He Looks (2014)
The Way He Lookscontinues the Brazilian tradition of being successful at international film festivals, as it took home awards at the Berlin International Film Festival. It tells the story of a high school student who is blind and wants to have more independence than he already has. With his best friend, they lament over the lack of romantic prospects in their lives, but when a new student arrives, it could change everything for these two.
AnLGBTQ+ coming-of-age movie,The Way He Looksis tender-hearted and gentle with its main characters. As our disabled main character searches for a way to be more independent in his life, we go through the ups and downs in his life right alongside him, and it’s a wonderful journey throughout.
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4Central Station (1998)
1998’sCentral Stationis a classic road trip film, but with plenty of twists involved to make it quite a unique movie. One of its main characters is Dora, a former schoolteacher currently finding work at Central Station in Rio de Janeiro. She’s a cynic, but when a woman she knows dies and leaves her nine-year-old homeless, Dora takes him in and slowly evolves as a person through her interactions with him.
Fernanda Montenegro, who portrays Dora in the movie, is the first Brazilian and Latin American actress to land an Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance in this movie. Not only is her performance incredible to watch on-screen, but the movie is gentle, a master class in characterization.
3The Second Mother (2015)
Released in 2015,The Second Motherwas highly praised domestically in Brazil and around the world. The film had its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival before being released in Brazilian theaters. Val moves to the city of São Paulo to work, getting enough money so that her daughter can have a better life. She works as a housemaid for a wealthy family, becoming close with their young son as her daughter becomes resentful of the fact that her mother is not home with her.
The Second Mothernot only is an intimate glimpse at socioeconomic divides in Brazil and the strain it causes on families, but is also thought-provoking in a myriad of ways beyond these themes that appear on a surface level. This is a movie that warrants multiple watches in order to understand the nuance it brings to the table.
Rent on AppleTV
2Carandiru (2003)
The story behindCarandiruis not a light one. Set within the Carandiru Penitentiary, which formerly was the biggest prison in Latin America, the movie is a searing glimpse into lifebehind bars in this prison. Different inmates are highlighted throughout the movie, showing how they got to this point, but all of this culminates in tragedy in the end.
Carandiruis based off of real events, and even used real prisoners as actors throughout many scenes. This movie is a form of realism that’s haunting to watch, showing how many people who end up in prison are a victim of their circumstances and deserve empathy, especially when they’re treated without the respect they deserve.
Stream on Netflix
1Keeper of Promises / O Pagador de Promessas (1962)
Keeper of Promises, which is also known by its Portuguese name ofO Pagador de Promessas, came out in 1962 and was the first Brazilian movie to ever win the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival. It is based on a stage play of the same name. A man named Ze do Burro owns land and finds his only companion with a donkey, but when his beloved donkey falls ill, he decides that if the donkey gets better, he will leave all of his land to the poor.
Keeper of Promisesis a story about faith, poverty, and what it means to have hope. It’s a classic Brazilian movie that continues a long tradition of what the national cinema has done, and its story feels like a novel with a lot of heart to it.
