When the world started to go into lockdown, and we realized our clients would not be able to visit us in Brazil anytime soon, our team at Viare started thinking of ways to help those who are interested in visiting or those who simply love Brazil, could get their “travel fix” without having to leave their homes.
Like many other companies, we have been using this extended time at home to reflect, renew, and … to sit on our couches and lay in our beds, whilst binge-watching TV shows, and movies we’ve been meaning to catch up on.
In this spirit, we thought we’d share with you some of our favorite Brazilian movies! Our teams’ choices are eclectic so hopefully at least one of these movies will be something you’d be interested in. Some are easily streamed from abroad, whilst others are a bit more difficult to find in English (but nothing a Google search won’t be able to help with ;-)).
A Dog’s Will (Polyana’s Pick)
Title in Portuguese: O Auto da Compadecida
About the movie: This 2000 comedy based on the eponymous play by renowned Brazilian author, Ariano Suassuna, is considered one of the best movies ever made here. The film follows the adventures of João Grilo and Chicó, two poor guys living in the hinterlands of Brazil’s northeast, who cheat a bunch of people throughout their lives, but when they die, they have to be judged by Christ, the Devil and the Virgin Mary, before they are admitted to paradise.
We know each country has their own pop culture references, histories, inside jokes and references they find funny. But while it might seem a bit odd at first, A Dog’s Will’s ability to comment on religious and class differences in Brazil in a fairly light-hearted and wacky way that can certainly entertain viewers from all over the world. Also, it’s a chance for you to see a bit of the brilliant actress, Fernanda Montenegro (of Central Station fame), a true Brazilian treasure.
A great movie to watch if you are a fan of Don Quixote’s adventures, the Dogma movie, or comedies involving class struggles.
My Mom is a Character Trilogy (Thayana’s Pick)
Title in Portuguese: Minha Mãe é uma Peça
About the movie: This comedy trilogy written and starred by Paulo Gustavo – one of the most influential comedians in Brazil nowadays – is an adaptation of his popular play of the same name. The three movies are set in Niteroi, a relatively large suburb of Rio de Janeiro, and follow the misadventures of Dona Herminia (amazingly played by Paulo!) a retired and overprotective mother of three, whose biggest concern are her kids.
The last movie of the trilogy, released in 2019, was the most watched comedy movie in Brazilian theaters. As you can expect from most popular comedies anywhere, this one is also full of cliches and quite cheesy. However, Minha Mãe é Uma Peça is truly a very funny comedy – one of those movies you hear people constantly laughing out loud in the movies.
Great to watch if you enjoyed the Nutty Professor movies, Big Momma’s House, and slapstick comedies in general.
Estômago – A Gastronomic Story (Beatriz’s Pick)
Title in Portuguese: Estômago
Where to Watch: currently not available in any streaming services.
About the movie: If Minha Mãe é Uma Peça is one of the most popular films in Brazil, Estômago (Portuguese for “stomach”) is probably one of the most underrated movies here. Don’t let the title fool you, as this is not a feel good movie or documentary about food, but actually an amazing and exciting mix of thriller and dark comedy.
Estômago has a non linear narrative and shows two different periods of Raimundo Nonato’s life (played by the great João Miguel): one follows his first steps of becoming a recognized chef in Curitiba, the capital of the southern state of Paraná, and while the other timeline shows his life in prison. A surprising story of violence, jealousy and, of course, food.
Also, a great opportunity to discover some Brazilian dishes, like the famous coxinha.
Being a Brazilian-Italian co production, you will find strong references to Italian cinema, and feel as if you are watching a Fellini movie, but with Brazilian flavor (pun intended), of course. Also, don’t watch this movie if you’re hungry.
Nighthawk (Bacurau) (Nathalia’s Pick)
Title in Portuguese: Bacurau
About the movie: Awarded with the Jury Prize at the 72nd edition of the Cannes Film Festival, Bacurau was probably the most talked about Brazilian movie in 2019. With its mix of gore, thriller, western, sci-fi and socio-political commentary, plus its impeccable cinematography, the film is definitely worth all the hype.
Bacurau is a fictional isolated Brazilian village in the hinterlands of the Northeast – but very different from what you’ll see in “A Dog’s Will.” The film starts by showing townspeople’s cultural rituals and impoverished conditions at the hands of a corrupt mayor. One day, the inhabitants of Bacurau notice that their village has literally vanished from the map while a series of strange things start happening there and they soon find out they are targets of a group of armed foreign mercenaries. A relatively simple plot that actually embraces so many important topics such as corporate exploitation of the environment, social inequality, endemic violence and political corruption in Brazil.
A uniquely Brazilian movie without a particular genre, but if you liked movies like the Hunger Games, Mad Max, or even Star Wars (you’ll see the references), you’ll most certainly love Bacurau.
Along the Way (Tuanni’s Pick)
Title in Portuguese: À Beira do Caminho
About the movie: To escape past traumas, a truck driver João (also played by Estômago‘s star, João Miguel) decides to leave his hometown behind and travel across Brazil. He drives alone all over the country until he discovers, hiding in his truck, a little boy looking for his father. João hesitates at first, but then agrees to take the boy to the nearest town and, along the journey, he finally finds the courage to face his past.
Although a bit of a cliché “feel good” movie – it reminds me a lot of Brazilian classic movie, “Central Station” – À Beira do Caminho is a beautiful and moving road movie. It’s also a great opportunity to see some beautiful landscapes in Northeastern Brazil, especially the amazing Chapada Diamantina, where the movie was mostly shot.
And that’s it! Please let us know if you’ve seen any of these movies, or decide to watch one after seeing this list. If none of these piqued your interest, you can find several Brazilian Movies & TV Shows available on Netflix with English subtitles if you’d like to get your Brazil fix beyond this list.
Hope you’re well, healthy, and making plans to come visit us “once this is all over.”
Featured photo: A Dog’s Will, from IMDB.
