Barren Lives.Before I reread it late this past winter, my clearest memory of Graciliano Ramos’s 1938 novel Vidas Secas (Barren Lives), a classic of Brazilian modernism, was of the dog, Baleia. I’d first read the novel in high school, and my teacher, Ivan, had an illustration of Baleia tattooed on his arm. Barren Lives was a favorite even among those pupils who, unlike me, didn’t obsessively read every book assigned. We all adored Baleia; though she is a dog, she has as much of a consciousness and a perspective as any of the human characters in the book. Her tragic death left us all equally moved and indignant.In Brazil, literature is singular and filmmaking is mostly ignored. I saw online that a movie theater in São Paulo not far from where I grew up was playing a rare print of the film adaptation of Barren Lives...
- 5/29/2024
- MUBI
What I love most about international film festivals is the opportunity to discover rare gems and stimulating foreign indie flicks, which may otherwise get lost in the mainstream blockbuster shuffle. One of this year’s contenders is a compelling Brazilian slave drama, set in the isolated backlands of this lush country, in the early 19th century during its painfully colonial times. Vazante is tragic story of slave trader Antonio, who in the event of losing his wife in child labor marries his late wife’s 12-year-old niece.
While waiting for his child wife to mature and irritated by a lack of diamond production in the Diamante Mountains, Antonio is advised by one of his foremen to cultivate and farm his vast rugged land with his captive slaves. Isolation, fear, violence, betrayal and prejudice are all at the premise of this beautifully shot black and white film, with minimal dialogue and score.
While waiting for his child wife to mature and irritated by a lack of diamond production in the Diamante Mountains, Antonio is advised by one of his foremen to cultivate and farm his vast rugged land with his captive slaves. Isolation, fear, violence, betrayal and prejudice are all at the premise of this beautifully shot black and white film, with minimal dialogue and score.
- 2/19/2017
- by Jenny Karakaya
- LRMonline.com
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