Glauber Rocha is crazy, and here he explores his favorite subject - politics. Rocha shows, I think, that the line between poetry and politics can be blurred, and that they can and is being aproached the same way, in a sense that both dont have a definitive solution and people form different kind of theories. Glauber brilliantly potrays this paradox, and the film is a answer to the great mystery. Its a political essay as well as a cinematic masterpiece. Its poetry and psychedelic merged in to a transic account, following the same logic as in a dream. Godlike.
In the film, Glauber will prepare an analysis, seeking to reflect on the reasons that led to the 'Collapse of Populism in Brazil' in 1964. "Terra em Transe" criticizes social classes and uses 'Theory of Populism' to explain the reasons for the victory of the Coup. Rocha suggests that, the Military Dictatorship installment in Brazil after the Coup of 64', he did not believe that armed struggle would be the best way to defeat the it, because the dictatorship was becoming increasingly repressive and increasingly closed all channels of popular participation in the country's political life. So, what is the way out that Glauber points out to get Brazil out of that situation? In fact, he doesn't know and, precisely because of that, he doesn't point out any solution, he just tries to portray the complex situation with an extraordinary poetic approach.
Brazil was in a situation of impasse and that there was no solution for it at that time. It shows the vision of a political and social situation in Brazil at that historical moment, which was based on the knowledge of some aspects in the Brazilian reality at that time, as well as making it clear how the country came to this situation and what were the main dilemmas and impasses facing the Brazilian nation.
I have decides to add some qoutes at the end of my review to confirm this political thesis of the films intention:
Porfirio Diaz becomes Dictator of Eldorado and says "They will learn! They will learn! I will rule this land. I will put these hysterical traditions in order! By force, for the love of force! By the universal harmony of hells, we will reach a civilization!" Such speech well sums up the reactionary and fascist thinking of a large part of the country's ruling classes and is still very current.
Desperate with the Coup victory, Paulo insists on promoting an armed resistance, but that will be useless, as the Coup has already been victorious. He wonders how long we will endure all this suffering. Sara asks 'What proves her death' and Paul replies 'The triumph of beauty and justice'.
