Behind the Sun

Rating:
Summary: A time and a place and a cruel and barbaric code of honor
Review: This 2001 Brazilian film is one of the saddest I've ever seen. It's set in 1910 in the cane fields of Brazil. There are two families who live on adjourning land who are part of a blood feud that has gone back so far in time that nobody remembers the details.

The story unfolds through the point of view of a 10-year old boy. He is the youngest of three sons. His oldest brother has been killed a month before and his bloodstained shirt is drying in the sun. Now that the blood has turned yellow, it is time to revenge his death. This task falls to his beloved 20-year old brother Tonio, who, after a heartbreaking chase, murders a son of the rival family.

Now, we all know that Tonio will be murdered just as his rival was murdered. And we know he, too, has a month to live while the bloody shirt of his opponent dries in the sun. A lot happens though during this month though. A traveling circus passes by and Tonio falls in love with a young fire-eating performer and wants to stop the cycle of violence.

The film was beautiful inasmuch as it captured a time and a place and a code of honor that seems cruel and barbaric. It also captured the human spirit of the people involved in this tragedy.

Rating:
Summary: A time and a place and a cruel and barbaric code of honor
Review: This 2001 Brazilian film is one of the saddest I've ever seen. It's set in 1910 in the cane fields of Brazil. There are two families who live on adjourning land who are part of a blood feud that has gone back so far in time that nobody remembers the details.

The story unfolds through the point of view of a 10-year old boy. He is the youngest of three sons. His oldest brother has been killed a month before and his bloodstained shirt is drying in the sun. Now that the blood has turned yellow, it is time to revenge his death. This task falls to his beloved 20-year old brother Tonio, who, after a heartbreaking chase, murders a son of the rival family.

Now, we all know that Tonio will be murdered just as his rival was murdered. And we know he, too, has a month to live while the bloody shirt of his opponent dries in the sun. A lot happens though during this month though. A traveling circus passes by and Tonio falls in love with a young fire-eating performer and wants to stop the cycle of violence.

The film was beautiful inasmuch as it captured a time and a place and a code of honor that seems cruel and barbaric. It also captured the human spirit of the people involved in this tragedy.

Rating:
Summary: Nicely done.
Review: To be honest, I only rented the film so that I could swoon over handsome Rodrigo Santoro after watching his brief, but memorable role in the romantic comedy "Love Actually". Little did I know how good this film was. I didn't mind the subtitles because they were clear and non-complex. I loved hearing the language. I don't know; there's something mysteriously alluring about Portuguese; it has this smooth, almost rhythmic flavor about it. I was thoroughly entertained by the little boy they called "kid" aka "Puca" (played by Ravi Ramos Lacerda); he's basically a kid wanting to drown in the world of his fantasies but has to uphold these responsibilities of labor jus like the rest of his family. I found him to be sweet, assertive, and pure comedy. All the roles were praisingly convincing and held my attention the whole way through. I couldn't get over how young Rodrigo looked even though the movie was taped but only two years ago. hehe...young, but oh so adorable :o). He doesn't say much, but...sometimes, words just aren't necessary. Neways, I think the film's great. Not one metaphor or streak of symbolism seemed out of place; not one character seemed a bit too exaggerated or too thin in personality. I really liked this film. Honestly? I really did. =)

hehe it has my vote.

Rating:
Summary: Nicely done.
Review: To be honest, I only rented the film so that I could swoon over handsome Rodrigo Santoro after watching his brief, but memorable role in the romantic comedy "Love Actually". Little did I know how good this film was. I didn't mind the subtitles because they were clear and non-complex. I loved hearing the language. I don't know; there's something mysteriously alluring about Portuguese; it has this smooth, almost rhythmic flavor about it. I was thoroughly entertained by the little boy they called "kid" aka "Puca" (played by Ravi Ramos Lacerda); he's basically a kid wanting to drown in the world of his fantasies but has to uphold these responsibilities of labor jus like the rest of his family. I found him to be sweet, assertive, and pure comedy. All the roles were praisingly convincing and held my attention the whole way through. I couldn't get over how young Rodrigo looked even though the movie was taped but only two years ago. hehe...young, but oh so adorable :o). He doesn't say much, but...sometimes, words just aren't necessary. Neways, I think the film's great. Not one metaphor or streak of symbolism seemed out of place; not one character seemed a bit too exaggerated or too thin in personality. I really liked this film. Honestly? I really did. =)

hehe it has my vote.

Rating:
Summary: Love and Hatred in Brazil's Sertao...
Review: Walter Salles will probably best be known to American audiences for his recent film, "The Motorcycle Diaries", yet "Behind The Sun" is a must see for anyone willing to learn about "The Other Brazil."

Behind The Sun is set in Brazil's arid, drought-stricken region , known as the Sertao (located in the northeast). A region where thousands have died because of its notoriously harsh conditions, the Sertao is the antithesis of the stereotypical image of the country: a lushly green paradise whose expansive rainforest seemingly never ends. Perhaps the Sertao, with its almost hateful environment, presents the perfect backdrop for a blood-drenched feud between two hateful families.

When Tonio's older brother is murdered by the rival Fereiras, his father calls upon him to fuffill his obligations and defend the honor of the family; that is, murder his brother's murderer. And this Tonio does, but in doing so, he only contributes to a never-ending cycle of violence, "where the dead command the living". For by becoming a murderer, Tonio himself has sealed his own fate; now he is a (literally) marked man.

The only thing that can interrupt this cycle is a female circus performer, who enchants both Tonio and his younger brother (the narrator of this film), and who provides Tonio with an escape from both the violence and the rythyms of the cane harvest.

Behind The Sun is a well-acted, well-directed film about revenge and redemption. For these merits alone it would be worth purchasing. As other viewers have noted, however, the real gem of this film is the cinematography, which is some of the most beautiful I have seen. For those who have difficulty visualizing the Sertao, think of Arizona or the Badlands, and you will have something close.

Behind the Sun is a moving film, and it clearly demonstrates that Brazilian cinema is at its peak now.

-James


Rating:
Summary: Ignorance and opportunity...
Review: What kind of view could one expect from Behind the Sun? Perception is obviously distorted. From space, the sun is a hot fiery ball of yellow and red - an interesting contrast to the yellow globe that lights our day, and a unique use of symbolism in the movie. Sacrificing their children in the name of vengeance, the principle characters fight a losing battle for "honor." Honor that is the only remnant of a dying culture, and the only thing left that gives meaning to life.
The cycle of killing and vengeance is ultimately superceded - not by the principles alone, but by providence in the form of a visiting female circus performer. The performer offers vision, hope, and love to a pair of brothers doomed to a future of despair.
The major parts of the movie - acting, scenery, cinematography, all come together in a masterful way to augment an otherwise abstract story. In all, this piece represents an extraordinary work.

Rating:
Summary: Ignorance and opportunity...
Review: What kind of view could one expect from Behind the Sun? Perception is obviously distorted. From space, the sun is a hot fiery ball of yellow and red - an interesting contrast to the yellow globe that lights our day, and a unique use of symbolism in the movie. Sacrificing their children in the name of vengeance, the principle characters fight a losing battle for "honor." Honor that is the only remnant of a dying culture, and the only thing left that gives meaning to life.
The cycle of killing and vengeance is ultimately superceded - not by the principles alone, but by providence in the form of a visiting female circus performer. The performer offers vision, hope, and love to a pair of brothers doomed to a future of despair.
The major parts of the movie - acting, scenery, cinematography, all come together in a masterful way to augment an otherwise abstract story. In all, this piece represents an extraordinary work.