Bruno Stroppiana Movies
- 2005
Innumerable documentaries have explored the essence and cultural legacy of such universalized strands of Brazilian music as samba<>I> and bossa nova; Finnish director Mika Kaurismaki's Brasileirinho) represents the first to unearth and dissect the highly regional Brazilian musical strain known as choro. This indigenous genre - its title translating from Portuguese as 'To Weep' - blends the simple percussive foundation of roots music with highly sophisticated and progressive clarinet and guitar riffs in the foreground - so sophisticated that they invite constant comparison to classical and jazz music. Kaurismaki travels to Rio de Janeiro with his cameras, not only for on-site demonstrations of this style, but for extended conversations with choro musicians. They speak openly and colorfully, with a far greater emphasis on the nature of the music per se than on individual musical legends and their contributions to the Brazilian cultural landscape. Running subtopics include: the most sophisticated ways of playing choro instruments such as the pandeiro and the 7-string Brazilian guitar, as well as the politics of Brazilian music as it descends from a history of slavery. Throughout, Kaurismaki also interpolates in-concert footage of Brazilian choro musicians playing in picturesque locales throughout Rio - thus creating a rare and precious record of a cultural legacy not generally seen outside of South America. Featured musicians include Elza Soares, Teresa Cristina and guitarist Yamandú. ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Thelma De Freitas
- 1998
Paulo Rocha directed this Portuguese-Brazilian drama which Rocha initially began scripting 30 years ago. Carolina (Isabel Ruth) marries dredging-boat operator Antonio (Brazilian TV star Lima Duarte), but she soon becomes jealous of Antonio's interest in their goddaughter Melita (Joana Barcia), but both Carolina and Melita fancy gypsy gold salesman Ze of Gold (Joao Cardoso). Passions, jealousy, and long-buried secrets begin to surface. Folk ballads performed by Portuguese singer Jose Mario Branco. Shown in the A Certain Regard section at the 1998 Cannes Film Festival. ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Isabel Ruth, Lima Duarte, (more)
Based on a popular Brazilian novel by Jorge Amado, this lively drama slyly comments upon Brazilian society while telling a tale of reconciliation and subtle revenge had at the hands of the fast-living titular character, a woman who 26 years before was banished from her remote home village of Sant'Ana do Agreste for promiscuity. Cloaked in mystery, she returns home from Sao Paulo. The residents who welcome her know that she is recently widowed from a wealthy man and that she has been sending money to the family, but they know nothing else. The still fantastic looking Tieta is accompanied by her step-daughter Leonora. Still jealous, Tieta's wallflower sister Perptua, who is also a widow, secretly conspires with their father to learn the truth about the scandalous Tieta who is busy stirring up erotic trouble amongst the town's most pious hypocrites. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1994
- Add Tigrero: A Film That Was Never Made to QueueAdd Tigrero: A Film That Was Never Made to top of Queue
The unique film set within a Karaja village in Brazil's Mato Grosso, Jim Jarmusch listens while Sam Fuller describes the 1950's "Tigrero" movie that he was unable to make. It also profiles the Karaja people. The non-film "Tigrero" had a fascinating history. The name was purchased off a novel by 20th Century Fox by Darryl F. Zanuck. Screen writer Fuller was sent to Brazil to come up with the story. There between two jungle rivers, he meets the Karajas who allow him to film their ceremonies and their village. Upon returning, he wrote a blockbuster film which would have starred John Wayne, Tyrone Power, and Ava Gardner. Because it was to be filmed in the dangerous jungle, Fox nixed the project. A lot of this movie focuses on Jarmusch interacting with the natives. The two also discuss Fuller's career and religion. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Samuel Fuller, Jim Jarmusch, (more)
- 1990
Finnish director Mika Kaurismaki (who also co-wrote the screenplay) made his English-language feature debut with this tale of foreigners adrift in the treacherous labyrinth of the Brazilian jungle. Kari (Kari Vaananen) is driving down the Trans-Amazonica Highway -- actually a two-lane dirt road that leads out of Rio -- with his two small daughters, Nina (Minna Sovio) and Lea (Ailo Sovio). He is fleeing the Brazilian authorities and is already on the lam from his homeland for taking his wife off life support after a car accident left her in a coma. His car eventually runs out of gas, and the family is rescued by Dan (Robert Davi), a bitter American expatriate and bush pilot who involves Kari in a scheme to use an old bulldozer he has discovered for mining purposes. Dan's plan will wreak havoc with the already devastated rainforest, however, and Kari, under the influence of a native woman (Rae Dawn Chong), starts to doubt his involvement in the project. Good performances, an important message, and excellent photography are all wasted on a story that starts out well but becomes unbalanced when one of the main characters suddenly dies, practically eliminating any conflict or confrontation toward which the plot may have been building. ~ Don Kaye, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Kari Väänänen, Robert Davi, (more)
