Antonio das mortes

We are proud to present a work by one of Cinema Novo’s essential figures, Glauber Rocha, in relation to Eryk Rocha’s new documentary. Antonio das Mortes is a surreal and poetic, political western which subtly comments on events in contemporary Brazil: two military coups, in 1964 and 1968, that eventually led to a hardline miliary dictatorship lasting over two decades.

The story takes place in the arid Northeastern region of Brazil, after the Second World War. Antonio das Mortes (“of the dead”) is a legendary hitman, known for having killed all of the remaining local rebels, known as cangaceiros. The cangaceiros were bandits who scoured the land and fought for social justice against local land owners. A new cangaceiro by the name Coirana has recently arisen, and with the help of a holy woman gathered an army of peasant mystics who threaten to topple local authorities. Antonio is hired by the governor to kill the troublemaker, and the two men meet in a highly allegorical duel at the village square. Antonio starts to question his own views on the cangaceiros in contact with the holy woman, and soon comes into conflict with the governor and his men, culminating in a bloody clash of mythological proportions.

Through a unique combination of religion, ideology and Brazilian folklore, Glauber Rocha created a potently political film. Class conflict, as well as Brazil’s history as a slave nation are woven into the legend of Saint George’s slaying of the dragon - and given a Sergio Leone-treatment. Don’t miss this rare chance to see this legendary masterpiece on the big screen in its original format - 35mm film. Chloe Faulkner

Born in North-East Brazil, Glauber Rocha (1939-1981) was one of the leading figures of the Brazilian new wave, directing some of cinema novo’s the most groundbreaking works, such as Black God, White Devil (1964) and Entranced Earth (1967). He won the Prix de la Mise en Scène at the 1969 Cannes Film Festival for Antonio das Mortes. He was also a prolific writer and journalist.

AN INTRODUCTION TO CINEMA NÔVO

Before the screening on October 12 at 8.30 pm, Chloé Faulkner from The Norwegian Federation of Film Societies will introduce the Cinema Nôvo wave of Brazilian Cinema in the 1960s, and guide you through the film history of the years that revolutionized Brazilian film.