Category Archives: Portuguese Cinema

A nod to the French New Wave: “A Bruta Flor do Querer” [2013 Brazil]

Dida Andrade and Andradina Azevedo script, direct, and star in their independent debut feature, “A Bruta Flor do Querer” [Eng. Title: The Savage Flower of Desire, aka Deep Blue Dream] about life and prospects for youth in a competitive and … Continue reading

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Survival instinct: “Bufo & Spallanzani” [2001, Brazil]

Wishing you all a happy 2017!   Flávio Tambellini’s thriller “Bufo & Spallanzani” is a dramatisation of popular Brazilian novelist Rubem Fonseca’s novel by the same. The title alludes to tortuous experiments conducted by an Italian scientist – Spallanzani, to … Continue reading

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A film review: “My Hindu Friend” [2015 Brazil]

After a gap of nearly eight years, Hector Babenco makes a full-length feature with a personal film “My Hindu Friend” [Bra. Title: Meu Amigo Hindu]. Confessing that this was something that he always wanted to make but never got around to, Babenco’s film … Continue reading

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A gentle summer breeze: “Ventos de Agosto” [2014 Brazil]

Gabriel Mascaro makes a refreshing feature film début with the quirky slow-burning drama “Ventos de Agosto” [Eng. Title: August Winds]. Yes, it’s a drama only in the broadest sense of the word, but that shouldn’t distract from the high traditions … Continue reading

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A force of nature: “Gabriela, Cravo e Canela” [1983, Brazil]

Jorge Amado is one of the most revered authors from Brazil, and after phenomenal success in bringing to film his earlier novel “Dona Flor e Seus Dois Maridos”, director Bruno Barreto adapted yet another popular novel of his, “Gabriela, Cravo … Continue reading

Posted in Brazil, Bruno Barreto, Sonia Braga | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments