I saw this film in India some 15 years ago and its images remain with me. I do not know Portuguese. I saw this Portuguese language film without English subtitles, yet the power of the visuals and the soundtrack was overwhelming. That in my opinion is the best testimony of good cinema.
There is an Indian film in Telugu made by director Mrinal Sen called "Ooka Oorie Katha," which had a similar impact on me. I found much of Sen's visuals very close to Guerra's film.
I have not had the opportunity to see any other film of Guerra to date. Yet on the basis of this film alone I would rate him and Nelson Pereira dos Santos as the most exciting filmmakers from Brazil. Their grammar of cinema is different from that of Hollywood, that of Europe, that of Asia and even that of Cuban cinema (which is closest in style to the work of the two directors).
From what I recall, film was not in black and white but presented in a dull sepia (not full color). I wonder if it was originally made in black and white and then treated with sepia color in the eighties for effect.
I recommend this film to anyone who likes good cinema that is different from conventional Hollywood material.
