Nuno Leal Maia Movies

An enormous tidal wave destroys Rio de Janeiro. This Brazilian fantasy chronicles the lives of the survivors. The story centers on Dionysus, a middle-aged man who was detained in a strange asylum. He is fixated upon the legend of Penelope. Occasionally dives into the submerged city. Eventually Dionysus joins a strange cult that worships and promotes the ancient, pastoral ideals of Atlantis. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

Political prisoner Valentin Arregui (Raul Julia) and homosexual pederast Luis Molina (William Hurt) share a Brazilian prison cell in this fantastical drama from the book by Manuel Puig. Sensitive and flamboyant, Molina helps pass the time by recounting memories from one of his favorite films, a wartime romantic thriller that just may also be a Nazi propaganda film. He weaves the characters into an ongoing narrative meant to spur Valentin's imagination and distract him from the brutal realities of political imprisonment and separation from the woman he loves. Hard around the edges, and willing to die for his political principles, Valentin nonetheless allows Molina to penetrate some of his defensive shell. An odd friendship forms between the two vastly different prisoners, the dreamer and the activist. As the narrative unfolds, it becomes clear that Valentin is being poisoned by his captors, to compel him to reveal names and secrets, and that Molina may have other agendas that belie his honesty and openness with Valentin. The intense character study builds toward a surprising conclusion. Kiss of the Spider Woman received Oscar nominations for best picture, best director and best adapted screenplay, and Hurt took home the best actor trophy for his portrayal of the soulful and conflicted Molina. The film was later adapted into a Broadway musical. ~ Derek Armstrong, All Movie Guide

Gabriela was based on Jorge Armado's novel Gabriela, Clove and Cinammon, which also served as the source of a typically steamy Brazilian TV soap opera. Set in 1925 (when the novel was first published), the film stars Marcello Mastrioanni as Nacib, a bartender in the Bahian village of Parati. When a drought descends upon the surrounding countryside, slovenly-but-sexy Gabriela (Sonja Braga) wanders into Parati with some friends and relatives. Immediately entranced by Gabriela's earthy sensuality, Nacib hires her as a cook and potential lover. Jealous of the attentions paid to Gabriela by the local menfolk, Nacib decides to marry her, then orders her to dress and behave in a more prudish fashion. But Gabriela can't help straying sexually, and as consequence it is Nacib who is forced to undergo the film's major character transformation. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

A Brazilian police official has been sent to a remote area of the country (in the state of Goias) on some undercover mission, and along the way a beautiful female member of one of Brazil's native tribes befriends him, and at one point, saves his life. They become very close -- until they reach the policeman's destination, a diamond-mining camp, where the miners' prejudice forces the native woman into a marginal, inferior status. Once the policeman has taken care of the corrupt mining boss in a manner beyond the laws of the country, he leaves, and the woman follows him along his way out again. He knows he cannot take her back to the city with him, and not having any real respect for the native Brazilians himself, his solution to handling the problem of an unwanted female companion is not any different than his solution to handling an unwanted, corrupt mining boss. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide

This engaging crime drama is based on an actual incident that occurred in Brazil. Claudia is a young girl who is murdered because of her supposed knowledge of the activities of well-known mobsters. Other fictional murders are thrown in to add to the plot as the action takes place in high society and the neighborhoods of the working class. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide