Foreign Land

FOREIGN LAND / Brazil-Portugal 1995 (4 STARS) 13 December 2003 The best part of this film is how much it surprises. It's a B&W film from Brazil and deflates expectation as it starts out almost like a student film - slow, awkward and seemingly uninteresting, with so much of gritty grain that it is initially annoying. Yet the change of pace and the transition into a gripping tale of innocence, love and adventure is so seamless, that only in the end do we realize what sheer cinematic delight we have been privy to. . Mise-en-scene: Even though it was made in 1995, this film belongs to the highest traditions of 50s Film Noir. Though reminiscent of Welles' Touch of Evil in its narrative style, you've probably never seen a grittier tale, and feel for the characters and their innocence as the plot thickens and the feeling of foreboding grips you. . The fact that the lead pair comprises unknown faces works for the film, and makes it believable. After all, the feeling of alienation and desperation is easier to ascribe to, to a nobody who has no-where to go. . Foreign Land communicates a deep underlying political message to Brazilians who were migrating to Europe in the 1980s and the film does a successful job of portraying life outside of Brazil as mean-spirited and dangerous. . The character development of the boy from struggling artist to bold young man is thoroughly convincing as is the unlikely romance between two desperate people in a strange land. I particularly enjoyed the change in pace of the narrative where it midway meanders off the beaten track and becomes a road-film. . Cinematography: In the final analysis, the low-brow high chiaroscuro grainy photography works for the film and successfully builds a dark mood that establishes the feeling of evil lurking just around the corner in a foreign land. . Sound design is effective in creating a nostalgic mood which begs us to ask the protagonists what on earth they are doing in a foreign land when they could have been safely tucked away in beloved Brazil.

I highly recommend this film to any lover of international cinema and particularly to those who feel inspired by gritty, small-time, content driven films with a powerful vision, that dare to challenge the goliaths of our filmmaking factories.

This existential thriller, in Portuguese with English subtitles, is a modern version of the American filmes noires of the 40s, complete with a surprise twist at the end. It is riveting from beginning to end. My only criticism is its poor production values. The film looks cheaply made, and it probably was, so the black and white cinematography is vastly inferior to that of Godard in Vivre Sa Vie, to cite another film noir of more than 30 years earlier. Most maddening of all, the subtitles are often hard to read. When will filmmakers learn and provide yellow subtitles so that they can be read against a white background. I'd give this an 8 overall, although with better production values it could have been higher.

Synopsis: In the early 1990s, Brazil was experiencing an era of uncertainty in a country gripped by the chaos of the Collor era. Without prospects, Paco decides to travel to Portugal after his mother's death, carrying a mysterious package. In Lisbon, he meets the Brazilian Alex and her boyfriend Miguel. They all end up involved in a smuggling scheme and living a true nightmare in Portuguese lands.

Review: "Foreign Land" is a work that, despite its seemingly simple plot, addresses profound issues associated with identity, loneliness, and the search for belonging. The film presents the journey of Paco, a man in search of his roots, in the context of a reality that proves to be hostile and confusing. The narrative unfolds in a scenario marked by the disillusionment and precariousness of immigrants, highlighting not only the desire to return, but also the impact of the choices made along this journey.

The direction by Walter Salles and Daniela Thomas is sensitive. They manage to capture the melancholy of the characters and the environment that surrounds them, using an aesthetic that emphasizes loneliness and disconnection. The landscapes of Portugal become almost a character in themselves, reflecting Paco's emotional state and his powerlessness in the face of adversity.

The relationship between Paco and Alex is central to the narrative, highlighting human connection amidst chaos. Alex, a Brazilian who also finds herself adrift, contrasts with Paco's past, revealing how the search for a better life often leads us into dangerous traps. Their relationship becomes a reflection of how loneliness manifests itself in interpersonal relationships.

Furthermore, the plot is punctuated by elements of suspense and tension, especially with the pursuit that Paco faces. This dynamic adds urgency to the narrative, reflecting the pressures faced by those who, like him, try to navigate a world that seems to have closed its doors. The figure of the mysterious package symbolizes not only hope, but also the fragility of the immigrants' plans and dreams, which can often be lost in the confusion.

The characters, with their complexities and flaws, are well-developed and portrayed. Fernando Alves Pinto brings a fragility to his role that makes Paco's journey even more moving. Fernanda Torres is equally impactful as Alex, representing a dimension of struggle and sacrifice. The interaction between the two is one of the film's highlights, evidencing the human need for connection even amidst despair.

In short, "Foreign Land" is a poetic reflection on the difficulties of immigration, the search for identity, and the impact of the past on our lives. Although Paco's journey is full of challenges, the underlying message is one of resilience and the importance of human relationships. It is a film that resonates deeply in a world where the issue of migration is increasingly central, provoking reflection and empathy.

I wasn't sure about getting this movie on DVD because I really do have something against people making black and white films in the 21st century, but I ended up buying it anyway. I still don't understand why it had to be black and white, but that's the only negativity I can see about the film, and it sure is a perfect example to see the definitive rise of Brazilian cinema. Not everyone can understand a film like this, but it's quite rewarding to those who do. Unlike O Homem Que Copiava, the surrealism fits this movie pretty well, and the acting is at least as good as that one, or other successful Brazilian films such as Bicho de sete cabeças, Cidade De Deus, Brava Gente Brasileira, etc..

My only hope is that this gem doesn't get insulted and raped by a crappy Hollywood remake. It's amazing to see how those guys spend zillions of Dollars and still can't make a movie that's 1% as good as this possibly low-budget flick.

Bravo to the entire crew! 10/10

Someone reviewed this movie as a "waste of time" because he/she was expecting the "beautiful scenery of Brazil and Portugal" but then everything looked "washed out" or gloomy, or something to that effect. I believe this person missed the entire part of the film. This is reality. The point of this movie is to show that life is not, indeed, ideal, and to show what people go through in their lives for family, love, and survival. A young man leaves his slum in Sao Paolo, Brazil, to go to Portugal to visit his mother's home country after her death. He discovers that not everything is free, and that Brazilians are looked down upon by native people from Portugal. He eventually finds a life, a love, but the story does not end as expected and this is not a "fairy tale" story. The part that got me most was the ending song, "Zeca Bailero (Honey Baby)" by Gal Costa. It fit so well with the movie; especially the ending.