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Behind the Sun Customer Reviews (1 - 3 of 9 Reviews)

Love and Hatred in Brazil's Sertao...
Walter Salles will probably best be known to American audiences for his recent film, "The Motorcycle Diaries", yet "Behind The Sun" is a must see for anyone willing to learn about "The Other Brazil."

Behind The Sun is set in Brazil's arid, drought-stricken region , known as the Sertao (located in the northeast). A region where thousands have died because of its notoriously harsh conditions, the Sertao is the antithesis of the stereotypical image of the country: a lushly green paradise whose expansive rainforest seemingly never ends. Perhaps the Sertao, with its almost hateful environment, presents the perfect backdrop for a blood-drenched feud between two hateful families.

When Tonio's older brother is murdered by the rival Fereiras, his father calls upon him to fuffill his obligations and defend the honor of the family; that is, murder his brother's murderer. And this Tonio does, but in doing so, he only contributes to a never-ending cycle of violence, "where the dead command the living". For by becoming a murderer, Tonio himself has sealed his own fate; now he is a (literally) marked man.

The only thing that can interrupt this cycle is a female circus performer, who enchants both Tonio and his younger brother (the narrator of this film), and who provides Tonio with an escape from both the violence and the rythyms of the cane harvest.

Behind The Sun is a well-acted, well-directed film about revenge and redemption. For these merits alone it would be worth purchasing. As other viewers have noted, however, the real gem of this film is the cinematography, which is some of the most beautiful I have seen. For those who have difficulty visualizing the Sertao, think of Arizona or the Badlands, and you will have something close.

Behind the Sun is a moving film, and it clearly demonstrates that Brazilian cinema is at its peak now.

-James


Feuding Families, Brazil, 1910. Strong, Not a False Note
Striking images all around, 'Behind the Sun' shows how a good picture can let you smell the air of the place, the breath of the people. Walter Salles ('Central Station' 'The Motorcycle Diaries') tells a story that resembles Greek dramas, with its simplicity and strength, but it is the picture's sheer beautiful visuals that makes 'Behind the Sun' a boon to every filmgoer. In short, watch this.

It's in 1910, in Brazil, in the middle of nowhere. Two families are feuding with each other, according to their peculiar rules. If one goes down, another member of the family revenges his death by killing the killer only. Thus the life goes on.

Among one of the family, we see the brothers -- younger Paku and elder Tonio. They work hard to make sugar, using the old machine and two cows, with their silent sad-eyed mother and very strict father. And the day finally comes when Tonio is ordered to kill: the spilled blood has turned yellow.

The bloody cycle of death is briefly disturbed when a beautiful circus girl comes to the near town. Or is it to be disturbed? Will Tonio choose another way of life? And what does Paku do?

You may say the plot is melodramatic. It is, sure, but the power of the story cannot be dismissed so easily. Walter Salles succeeds in creating the atmosphere of the place, and despair and hope of the characters as well, all of which are so compelling.

Also helped by the good acting from Rodrigo Santoro (in 'Love Actually' as Laura Linney's love), the film is about those characters and images. like 'Central Station.' For all its slightly conventional storytelling (and very powerful one), 'Behind the Sun' remains a gripping experience all throughout.

The story is inspired by a novel 'Broken April' written by Ismail Kadare. The film changed the original's location (in Alvania) to Brazil, and was shot in the really desert places where the sun scorches from the deep blue sky onto the red rocks. (It is said that the cast and crew had to travel from the nearest hotel to the location more than 200 km. everyday.) And see Vinicius de Oliveira, as the family member rivalling Tonio's, who was the little boy in 'Central Station'

The best camera shots ever!!!
As all movies from Walter Salles this one is great. What makes this one even better than his previous ones is the camera. You can hit pause anytime and you will see a great picture.
The movie shows a part of Brazil, the Sertão, which is completely unknown to most people, but has its own beauty.
The actors a re unknown ones, but they are great.

If you are interested in movies which are not typically (stupid) Hollywood you should definetly get it!
Great!!!

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