Barren Lives (1963)

A poor family in the Northeast of Brazil (Fabiano, the father; Sinhá Vitória, the mother; their 2 children and a dog called Baleia) wander about the barren land searching for a better place... See full summary »

Director:

Nelson Pereira dos Santos

Writers:

Nelson Pereira dos Santos, Graciliano Ramos (novel)

Stars:

Átila Iório, Maria Ribeiro, Orlando Macedo

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Credited cast:
Átila Iório	...	Fabiano
Maria Ribeiro	...	Sinhá Vitória (Mother)
Orlando Macedo	...	Soldado Amarelo (Soldier)
Joffre Soares	...	Fazendeiro (Farmer)
Gilvan Lima	...	Boy (as Gilvan)
Genivaldo Lima	...	Boy (as Genivaldo)
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Orlando Chagas
Ignacio Costa
Nabor Costa
Oscar de Souza
José Leite
Vanuterio Maia
Manuel Ordonio
Maria Rosa
Antonio Soarez

Storyline

A poor family in the Northeast of Brazil (Fabiano, the father; Sinhá Vitória, the mother; their 2 children and a dog called Baleia) wander about the barren land searching for a better place to live, with food and work. But the drought and misery destroy their hopes.

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Plot Keywords:

dog | brazil | third cinema | poverty | countryside | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

Included among the "1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die", edited by Steven Schneider.

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Connections

Featured in Panorama do Cinema Brasileiro (1968)

User Reviews

The Never-ending Cruel Timeless Fate of the Migrants of the Drought in the Country of the Northeast of Brazil

The illiterate migrants Fabiano (Átila Iório), his mate Sinhá Vitória (Maria Ribeiro), their two sons and their dog Baleia drift in the country of the Northeast of Brazil, fighting for their survival. They are hired by a farmer (Jofre Soares) in a slavery condition to take care of his kettle.

"Vidas Secas" is a classic of the Brazilian Cinema and the first movie of the "Cinema Novo" ("New Cinema"), a movement of the Brazilian filmmakers in the 60's that proposed to make low-budget movies with social concerns and rooted in Brazilian culture, which had the following slogan: "A camera in the hands and an idea in the head".

Nelson Pereira dos Santos made a masterpiece, certainly on of the best Brazilian movies ever. Based on a classic novel of the Brazilian literature of Graciliano Ramos, the reality and cruelty of the story is stunning. The black and white photography and the performances of the cast, including the dog, are very impressive, recalling the Italian Neo-Realism of Roberto Rossellini. This movie was made in 1963, the story happens in the 40's and presently the situation of the drought in the country of the Northeast of Brazil remains exactly the same, being one of our greatest national shames. My vote is ten.

Title (Brazil): "Vidas Secas" ("Dry Lives")

Details

Country:

Brazil

Language:

Portuguese

Release Date:

11 December 1967 (Sweden)

Also Known As:

Aszály

Company Credits

Production Co:

Luiz Carlos Barreto Produções Cinematográficas, Regina Filmes, Sino Filmes

Technical Specs

Runtime:

103 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1