São João Del Rei

Veteran filmmaker Humberto Mauro ("O Descobrimento do Brasil") made this short documentary about the historical town of São João Del Rei, known for being one of the most important and historical locations in Brazil, located in Minas Gerais, where several churches, old preserved houses and works of art (sculptured by the incredibly talented Aleijadinho) can be seen and found. They bring back the 18 Century's settings during the gold cycle, and also the same era when political leader Tiradentes was giving his outcries for the cause of Brazil's Independence, which led to his death and dismemberment in 1792.

Mauro films everything with great quality and technique, basically a promotional film about the city, destined to attract tourists (and they do get them by the thousands since there's plenty of historical monuments, relics, and marvels of architecture that still resist the test of time), specially those who are deep fans of history or ancient constructions. The narrator informs us about the exact churches and what is present in each of them, the works of art, who made them and the year it was built or created. It's quite informative but lacks in some greater appeal in bringing back memories from the past. But it's very good. 6/10.