Trailer for "Black Orpheus" in French with English subtitles

Brazilian Films and DVD'S

An unfortunate symptom of Brazil's social inequality is that its most popular and internationally recognized films of recent times deal with the violence present in large urban slums. "Cidade de Deus" / "City of God" and more recently "Tropa da Elite"/ "Elite Squad" are two examples. But these films serve as an appropriate warning as to what can happen if corruption and poverty are allowed to spiral out of control.

The 1999 film "Central do Brasil" is a feel good story about a young orphan boy and his friendship with a jaded middle-aged woman. It was nominated for an Oscar in the Best foreign film category. Fernanda Montenegro was nominated in the Best Leading Role category for that film.

The 1959 film "Black Orpheus" is the only Brazilian film to have won an Academy award, however it was credited as being a French production. The colours of the Rio Carnaval come to life in brilliant Eastmancolor film in a story based on the Greek legend of Orfeus and his love for Eurydice. Now, while some people may argue that a film like this romanticizes life in the favelas / shanty towns, it cannot be denied that the scenery of Rio de Janeiro in the film is spectacular, the splendour of the late 1950's when it was still the capital of Brazil leads one to believe this must have been the golden era of the city, the buildings, parks, trams and streets look stunning against the beautiful backdrop of Guanabara Bay.
It is interesting to note that one of the most internationally successful Brazilian films in recent times, "Central do Brasil" was also a Brazilian/French production. The French may have relinquished their hold on Brazil to the Portuguese in the 16th century but they are managing to leave their mark on Brazilian cinema in modern times.

Black God, White Devil is a 1964 Brazilian film directed and written by Glauber Rocha. Its original Portuguese title is Deus e o Diabo na Terra do Sol, which translates literally as "God and the Devil in the Land of Sun". Considered Rocha's masterpiece, the movie stars Othon Bastos, Maurício do Valle, Yoná Magalhães and Geraldo Del Rey. It belongs to the Cinema Novo (New Cinema) movement, addressing the socio-political problems of 1960s Brazil.
The film was nominated for the 1964 Golden Palm at the Cannes Film Festival, but failed to win. It is considered by international critics to be one of the best Brazilian movies of all time