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critics consensus

Visually poetic, Behind the Sun is a powerful statement about cycles of violence. Read critic reviews

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Behind the Sun Photos

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Movie Info

"Behind the Sun" tells the story of two families locked in a generations-old deadly feud. It started out as a battle over land, but now it's escalated into a series of reprisals that is claiming the lives of the young men on both sides. In one family, the oldest remaining son - distressed by the prospect of death and encouraged by his younger brother - begins to question the cycle of violence. That's when a beautiful young woman from a traveling circus crosses his path.
  • Rating:
    PG-13 (Some Violence|Scene of Sexuality)
  • Genre:
    drama
  • Original Language:
    Portuguese (Brazil)
  • Director:
    Walter Salles
  • Producer:
    Arthur Cohn
  • Writer:
    Karim Ainouz, Sérgio Machado, Walter Salles
  • Release Date (Theaters):
     wide
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Box Office (Gross USA):
    $64.2K
  • Runtime:
  • Production Co:
    Dan Valley Film AG
  • Sound Mix:
    Surround, Dolby SR, Dolby Digital, Dolby A, Dolby Stereo
  • Aspect Ratio:
    Scope (2.35:1)

Cast & Crew

José Dumont
Father
Rodrigo Santoro
Tonio
Rita Assemany
Mother
Ravi Ramos Lacerda
Pacu
Flávia Marco Antônio
Clara
Othon Bastos
Sr. Lourenço
Luiz Carlos Vasconcelos
Salustiano
Everaldo Pontes
Old Blind Man
Wagner Moura
Matheus
Gero Camilo
Reginaldo
Walter Salles
Director
Karim Ainouz
Writer
Ismail Kadaré
Writer (Novel)
Sérgio Machado
Writer
Walter Salles
Writer
Lillian Birnbaum
Executive Producer
Arthur Cohn
Producer
Jean Labadie
Associate Producer
Mauricio Andrade Ramos
Executive Producer
Carole Scotta
Associate Producer
Show all Cast & Crew

Critic Reviews for Behind the Sun

All Critics (46) | Top Critics (21) | Fresh (34) | Rotten (12)

View All Critic Reviews (46)

Audience Reviews for Behind the Sun

  • May 02, 2011
    Tragic, beautiful, poignant, compelling. A well told story not easily forgotten. This was one of the most moving films I've seen in a long time. It's golden colors seem to breathe the very heat of the desert itself, and the cinematography is breathtaking. The actors do a brilliant job with their performances, a fine example of perfect casting . I don't see this is as a story about revenge, or even hatred, but more about one's willingness, or unwillingness, to blindly accept a ritual based on an idea which is not valid. Excellent film!
    Cynthia S Super Reviewer
  • Dec 31, 2009
    It is easy to fall in love with the film's gorgeous visuals, but let's not overlook how the script is poorly developed and clearly deserved a few rewrites to be more efficient, being instead an obvious revenge story that feels contrived and lacks in narrative cohesion.
    Carlos M Super Reviewer
  • Dec 17, 2008
    Behind the Sun, Abril Despedacado, a Brazilian movie who told the simple story about two families locked in a blood vendetta over sugar cane land in the late 19th century somewhere in a northern part of Brazil. Beautifully shot against dry Brazilian landscapes and narrated through the eyes of a little boy and off course the tremendous cast of talented actors, especially, Rodrigo Santoro. However, it was the little boy who really stole the show and carried the movie through. He was fantastic, and showed real brotherly love, and the relationships between the families.This movie was often painful but delightful for those who admire depth, romanticism and beauty of expression. A must to see.
    Daisy M Super Reviewer
  • Nov 25, 2007
    could've been condensed into a 30 minute short movie but who am i to argue with some director who's into everlasting family fueds and murder? sounds a bit too like the mafia. anyway, the acting was so so. the bird that played the gypsy circus totty was nice looking... almost falling outta her corset near the beginning ... ai chi wa wah!!! yeh, basically it all falls down coz it was too long. what it could've been was tonho goes and shoots someone. they come back and shoot someone (see what i did there? i didnt say who and make it a spoiler... ah, i'm so amazing). yeh this film ... i wouldn't recommend to ya
    Sanity Assassin ! Super Reviewer
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