"Anjos e Demonios" (Angels and Demons) – there are many films with this title, but the film that I'm reviewing was made in 1970 in Brazil.
"Anjos e Demonios" starts as a youth film. In 1970, the earthquake of the youth revolution was shaking the whole world - Politics (May 1968 in France and then
in the whole world), Morals
. everything was being turned upside down. The late 60s to the early 70s
a heavy rain was falling on the old world – and this was felt even in countries that were ruled by repressive dictatorships and now I'm talking about Brazil. In 1970 the military government was tightening its grip on the country, but the youth rebellion made itself felt. It's truth that this "rebellion" was confined mostly to the upper reaches of the middle class, and it generally took the form of partying, but even so there were new ideas about sex, sexual life etc
beginning to spread around.
"Anjos e Demonios" – a brief sketching (without any spoilers) to give you a taste of the story:
A teenage girl, Virginia (Eva Christian) during a party gets to know a small-time thief, Paulo (Luiz Fernando Ianelli). There is mutual attraction and understanding between them. She is from the Zona Sul (South Zone - the richer part of the city) and he is from the Zona Norte (North Zone - the poorer part of the city), but both are good looking, intelligent and also
ambitious. Both like discos, parties, good food and they spend a lot. In the beginning they go to parties with their gang, take part in car races and so on
One night after lots of drinking and a bit of pot, Virginia, Paulo and another couple go to a beach, get naked and go for a swim, there's an orgy and swinging. Eventually a scandal breaks out and the police intervene. Virginia's uncle, Marcos (Fregolente) is very angry and begins to cut down on Virginia's money allowance. Virginia is not satisfied. What is to do? And the film slowly veers into a crime thriller full of twists - everything will be crowned by a surprising ending.
Carlos Hugo Christensen made many interesting films in Argentina and Brazil. I know some films of his later output and among them I recommend "Caingangue" (1973), a western film, "Enigma para Demonios" (Enigma for Demons – 1975), a horror film and also a psychological and crime thriller, "A Mulher do Desejo - a Casa das Sombras" (The Woman of Desire - The House of the Shadows" - 1975, a horror film, and "A Morte Transparente" (The Transparent Death) - 1978, a crime thriller.
"Anjos e Demonios" is a pleasant time capsule with an interesting story, attractive people on the screen and a good soundtrack (featuring rock songs from important and not so important bands/singers).
Recommended especially if you love the 60s and 70s.
