The illiterate migrants Fabiano (Átila Iório), his mate Sinhá Vitória (Maria Ribeiro), their two sons and their dog Baleia drift in the country of the Northeast of Brazil, fighting for their survival. They are hired by a farmer (Jofre Soares) in a slavery condition to take care of his kettle.
"Vidas Secas" is a classic of the Brazilian Cinema and the first movie of the "Cinema Novo" ("New Cinema"), a movement of the Brazilian filmmakers in the 60's that proposed to make low-budget movies with social concerns and rooted in Brazilian culture, which had the following slogan: "A camera in the hands and an idea in the head".
Nelson Pereira dos Santos made a masterpiece, certainly on of the best Brazilian movies ever. Based on a classic novel of the Brazilian literature of Graciliano Ramos, the reality and cruelty of the story is stunning. The black and white photography and the performances of the cast, including the dog, are very impressive, recalling the Italian Neo-Realism of Roberto Rossellini. This movie was made in 1963, the story happens in the 40's and presently the situation of the drought in the country of the Northeast of Brazil remains exactly the same, being one of our greatest national shames. My vote is ten.
Title (Brazil): "Vidas Secas" ("Dry Lives")
"Vidas Secas" is a classic of the Brazilian Cinema and the first movie of the "Cinema Novo" ("New Cinema"), a movement of the Brazilian filmmakers in the 60's that proposed to make low-budget movies with social concerns and rooted in Brazilian culture, which had the following slogan: "A camera in the hands and an idea in the head".
Nelson Pereira dos Santos made a masterpiece, certainly on of the best Brazilian movies ever. Based on a classic novel of the Brazilian literature of Graciliano Ramos, the reality and cruelty of the story is stunning. The black and white photography and the performances of the cast, including the dog, are very impressive, recalling the Italian Neo-Realism of Roberto Rossellini. This movie was made in 1963, the story happens in the 40's and presently the situation of the drought in the country of the Northeast of Brazil remains exactly the same, being one of our greatest national shames. My vote is ten.
Title (Brazil): "Vidas Secas" ("Dry Lives")