The title of Eryk Rocha’s documentary refers to a movement among Brazilian filmmakers during the 1960s and ‘70s that reflected the country’s political upheavals and the dire conditions in which ordinary people lived, but also did so with distinctive stylistic freedom and energy. The period was marked by military rule following a 1964 coup, along with continuing economic distress exacerbated by governmental austerity programs that failed to stem growing national debt. Reflecting popular discontent, cinema novo became increasingly radical in the social views it espoused as the years wore on. Rocha, the son of Glauber Rocha, one of the movement’s most influential directors, does not here offer a conventional introduction to the movement; instead he serves up montages of clips from individual films (often not identified), which are juxtaposed with excerpts from archival interviews of directors like his father and Nelson Pereira dos Santos, as well as their collaborators, such as cinematographer Mário Carneiro, who elucidate the philosophy behind the movement. The result is an impressionistic overview rather than a chronological survey, which will appeal more to those who are already familiar with cinema novo rather than newcomers. Nonetheless, this is obviously a labor of love, and on its own terms is extremely well-researched and edited. Extras include a booklet with a helpful contextual essay by Randal Johnson and Robert Stam. Recommended, particularly for film history collections. Aud: C, P. (F. Swietek)
Cinema Novo
(2016) 92 min. In Portuguese & French w/English subtitles. DVD: $29.98 ($348 w/PPR from www.icarusfilms.com). Icarus Films Home Video (available from most distributors). Closed captioned. Volume 33, Issue 5
Cinema Novo
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