David Neves
Cinema Novo is a movie-essay that investigates poetically the most important movement of Latin American cinema, through the thoughts of its main auteurs: Nelson Pereira dos Santos, Glauber Rocha, Leon Hirszman, Joaquim Pedro de Andrade, Ruy Guerra, Walter Lima Jr., Paulo César Saraceni, amongst others.
During the military dictatorship in Brazil, Lorena, Lia and Ana Clara, three university students of different social backgrounds and origins meet at a nun's pension in São Paulo. Besides their differences, they become close friends, sharing their dramas and dreams, helping each other until the day they have to separate permanently.
Four love stories which portray a wide gamut of emotions and desires against the backdrop of Rio de Janeiro. "Elephant's Stomp" : the story of a highway patrol officer who is infatuated with a mulatto dancer at a local nightclub. "Drao" : a publicity man and a boutique owner who face a crises in their marriage. "You Are Beautiful" : two homeless teenagers seek love amidst their personal misery. "Samba of the Great Passion" : a book maker who is charmed and captivated by the voice of a female singer coming from a building across the street. Characters in search of love in order to escape from the boredom, loneliness and helplessness of their lives.
An overlook at the southern Rio de Janeiro neighborhoods, from the perspective of one of its most well-known places: Jardim de Alah, a group of squares on the middle of neighborhoods Ipanema and Leblon. There, people of different social classes interact together - workers who live in the Cruzada de São Sebastião building and the local bourgeois class who live in fancy condos. There, the rich and the poor unite in the same spirit.
A group of eccentric people gather at a popular bar in Ipanema, Rio de Janeiro. Among its costumers, we find Ana, an actress, and her husband Zeca, a writer in crisis about his work.
Biography of a Brazilian dancer who lived on an island and practiced nudism when it was forbidden by law.
Documentary about Flamengo, one of the most popular soccer teams in Brazil
Two contrasting social groups get in touch: three architects and three street urchins, all struggling for survival.
When Daniela, a famous actress, decides to return to her hometown to reconnect with a simpler lifestyle, local politicians decide to exploit her influence in order to get ambiguous deeds done.
Celebrating his 80th birthday, pioneer Brazilian filmmaker Humberto Mauro talks about his life, work, and the project "A Noiva da Cidade".
Couple whose marriage is at stake delve into the past, with the help of a diary and some home movies. In these movies, Helena, the woman's suicidal friend, has an important role.
Documentary about Maria Bethânia, at the very beginning of her career as a singer, when she arrived in Rio da Bahia to replace Nara Leão in the show Opinião. Bethânia's appearance, at that time in southern Rio, was a cultural shock that shook the city. The film also contains scenes of her daily life and meetings with other musicians.
Luzia arrives in Rio with the expectation of a new life. In the big city, she meets Jasão, her fiance, a former cowboy, who had left the Northeast. But he pretends not to recognize her and Luzia, alone, is forced to accept the protection of Calunga, an unconcerned man for whom life is a fascinating adventure without character or remorse. After using her, he leaves her in the hands of Ignácio, to whom she asks for temporary shelter. But a reunion with Jasão awakens love again.
A comprehensive view of the situation of different ethnic groups in Brazil. In the testimonies gathered in the streets and neighborhoods of various capitals, black, white, mulatto, Portuguese, Italian and Japanese express their opinion and describe personal experiences involving relationship, racism, miscegenation and cultural exchange.
Documentary about the most famous dribbler in Brazilian Soccer (some say in Soccer's history!) at the zenith of his career, showing classic scenes of 1958 and 1962 World Cup. Garrincha was a very original and talented player, having curved legs. Women and alcohol were his passion, and the cause of his later decadence. After a glorious career, he died in financial misery, forgotten.
