Films/DVD Asylum

Posted by tinear (A) on February 12, 2007 at 10:17:52

mention this film which burst upon the film world with as great an upheaval as "Rite of Spring" had upon the musical establishment half a century earlier.
Brasilian Cinema Novo director Glauber Rocha completed this film at the age of 22, as amazing but much less remarked upon a feat as that of the creator of "Citizen Kane."
This film had a major impact upon P P Pasolini and he wrote a landmark essay upon its release, heralding Rocha as a member of an elite club of five directors that create poetic films as opposed to prose (Antonioni, Godard, Bertolucci, Forman were the others).
The film is more akin to outdoor opera or operetta with its revolutionary use of music, speech, cinematography, and editing.
Rocha spent much time touring the interior of Brasil's poorest states working as a musicographer to prepare the soundtrack, though it also is used as a narrative device by announcing, defining, and enriching the action.
A land poor peasant, who has long dreamed of acquiring a small piece of land upon which to subsist, has his vision shattered by the owner of the land upon which he is a tenant. Forced to flee after a confrontation, he meets a charismatic "saint" who is leading a peaceful revolt.
Eventually, the narrative interweaves the story of this man with iconic Brasilians from the parched NE (the Sertao) such as Padre Cicero and the most famous bandit in Brasilian history, Lampiao.
The film is part Western, part metaphysical journey--- and all original. You have never and never will again see anything similar... unless you see his other classic film, "Terra em Transe."
This film has been included in many "Best Films of All Time" lists of European critics.
Along with "Barren Lives" (Vidas Secas), this is considered a landmark in film.
Why it hasn't been more appreciated in this country is a mystery. Perhaps because Brasil is almost a non-entity, except for Carnaval?
Anyhow, approach it expecting an explosion.