Cinematography, production design, costume design, film editing, everything is presented in superior quality standard ever since the first scene, with the two child sisters on the tree framed on the sad and at same time beautiful "sertão" landscape.
The screenplay itself does not do bad, on the contrary, even carrying some elements of the Brazilians soap operas (novelas), at least it seems to capture the spirit of the good ones and does a very good job literally sewing the story of the two seamstresses sisters. The "cangaceiros", outlaw groups on the government standpoint, who also were considered heroes for some in the countryside of the Brazilian Northeast region in the thirties of the last century are also correctly pictured as recent studies highlight the role of the women in those groups.
But everything would just mean a correct movie if it was not for the superb performances of the two main actresses, Marjorie Estiano and Nada Costa. They are fully responsible to convey every idea of the screenplay and they do it in a way that only the best actresses do in the best movies. Maybe the whole casting directing job deserves a recognition, as most of the other characters do well, but Marjorie and Nanda are many levels higher all the time. Just one example, pay attention to the scene when the two sisters chat on the bed before sleeping. Superior.
The screenplay itself does not do bad, on the contrary, even carrying some elements of the Brazilians soap operas (novelas), at least it seems to capture the spirit of the good ones and does a very good job literally sewing the story of the two seamstresses sisters. The "cangaceiros", outlaw groups on the government standpoint, who also were considered heroes for some in the countryside of the Brazilian Northeast region in the thirties of the last century are also correctly pictured as recent studies highlight the role of the women in those groups.
But everything would just mean a correct movie if it was not for the superb performances of the two main actresses, Marjorie Estiano and Nada Costa. They are fully responsible to convey every idea of the screenplay and they do it in a way that only the best actresses do in the best movies. Maybe the whole casting directing job deserves a recognition, as most of the other characters do well, but Marjorie and Nanda are many levels higher all the time. Just one example, pay attention to the scene when the two sisters chat on the bed before sleeping. Superior.
