Vidas Secas (Barren Lives) (1963)

2. Vidas Secas: Or the very well fitting english title of 'Barren Lives' is part of Brazil's 1960's cine novo movement but may as well be a mere delayed extension of the Italian Neo-realism of the 1940's as each movement is characterised by similar thematics and techniques. A bit of improvised dialogue, small production teams, long takes, and relatively unknown actors. However Italy took to this impoverished depressing cinema (The Bicycle Thieves or Terra Firma pretty much sum up these factors) because of its state after the war, and while many Brazilian director's visited Europe and trained in Italy bringing back such an odd cinematic form of entertainment slightly baffles me. However my Brazilian history is rusty, and the characteristics and reasoning for films such as Vidas Secas' success may be more similar than meets the eye. What we witness at the opening credits is a painfully slow shot accompanied by a tremendously painful score that is repeated near the symbolic ending of Baleia. This family has nothing, and as commented as the end 'why can't we live like real people', these barren lives of tho poor are both plausible and touching. The second half of this film is redeemed by much deeper symbolism, but in terms of enjoyment Vidas almost fails to register. The characters and plot are more drawn out than the shallow spectacles in today's Brazilian cinema, but without that historical context of the era it was filmed I have no personal connection with the film. That is not to say it is devoid of some spectacular moments (the closing sequence in which the family turn from the road to face the desert is incredibly sincere) but these films would spark a love affair of negativity and the endless Favela dramas which drown Brazilian cinema like a vat of obesity. This film remains however, truly Brazilian with little co-production credits in sight, or foreign finance which often alters the true nature of Brazilian cinema. Verdict: 89/100 - A remarkable piece of cinema history, but one that is hard to swallow for those uninducted to the style. A classic none-the-less.