SEARCH

Subscribe to our newsletter:

Name:

Email:

where do you live?
UK BRAZIL SOMEWHERE ELSE

Next screening, June 12th, Glauber Rocha’s Black God, White Devil

Words by Victor Fraga

Rocha's masterpiece is a violent yet lyrical portrait of Brazil's impoverished Northeast. The movie – made in 1964 as part of the Cinema Novo movement - is considered one of the most influential Brazilian films of all times. It has inspired many international filmmakers, including Buñuel and Scorsese. Manuel, a cowboy in the Brazilian backlands of the 1940s who is constantly exploited at work, kills his boss, flees with his wife, and joins up with a self-proclaimed saint who preaches fanatic doctrines, including the use of violence.

The outlaws move through the Brazilian sertão trying to find a place to live and take justice into their own hands. Rocha does not portray the lead character as a despicable villain; instead, most of Manuel’s actions seem justified by society’s ruthlessness, and he is presented as a largely honourable bandit. Rocha once explained that “violence is the most genuine cultural manifestation of hunger”.

Black God, White Devil remains as relevant today as it was when first launched in Cannes 44 years ago. It deals with social woes, religious extremism and violence, themes so familiar to all of us. Its moving socio-political message, coupled with its raw cinematic power, renders Rocha's film as dynamic, vigorous and modern as ever.

Jungle Cineclub @ Rich Mix
7.30pm, 12th June
richmix.co.uk

Coming up on Jungle Cineclub:

l Black God, White Devil (Glauber Rocha, 1964) ˆ June 12th;

l Elite Squad (José Padilha, 2007) ˆ July 10th (NEW DATE_ UK Premiere!)

l Favela Rising (Jeff Zimbalist, 2005) ˆ September 11th;

l Pixote (Hector Babenco, 1980) ˆ October TBC and

l Ato dos Homens (Kiko Goifman, 2006)ˆ November 13th