Vladimir Carvalho's Cinema of Inequality marked the documentary filmmaker's trajectory over decades of activity. Considered one of the most important Brazilian documentary filmmakers in activity, his images influenced the emergence of Cinema Novo and the new Brazilian documentary years later. Quando a Coisa Vira Outra covers the most important films made by Vladimir, revealing where ideas come from to show the true reality of a country.
The Pernambuco painter Cicero Dias created an unparalleled art for the world. Close to a modernist and influenced by artists such as Pablo Picasso, Fernand Léger and Joan Miró, he marked the history of Brazilian art.
An abandoned tumbledown theater in the outback of Paraíba state is the initial setting of a film about cinema, which explores the testimonials of the novelist and playwright Ariano Suassuna and other filmmakers such as Ruy Guerra, Julio Bressane, Ken Loach, Andrzej Wajda, Karim Ainouz, José Padilha, Hector Babenco, Vilmos Zsigmond, Béla Tarr, Gus Van Sant and Jia Zhangke. They all respond to two basic questions: why do they make movies and why do they serve the seventh art. The filmmakers share their thoughts about time, narrative, rhythm, light, movement, the meaning of tragedy, the audience‘s desires and the boundaries with other forms of art.
Documentary on the life and work of José Lins do Rego (1901-1957), one of Brazil's greatest 20th century literary authors, writer of celebrated novels "Menino de Engenho", "Fogo Morto", "Moleque Ricardo", "Riacho Doce" and many more.
The lively João Grilo and the sly Chicó are poor guys living in the hinterland who cheat a bunch of people in a small town in Northeastern Brazil. When they die, they have to be judged by Christ, the Devil and the Virgin Mary before they are admitted to paradise.
In the small town of Taperoá João Grilo and confusion Chicó live setting, addressing a sacristan and a humble baker. Everyone lives under the excesses of the bishop, the priest and the major. Until an attack on the city, all die at the hands of the bandit Severino and must stand trial in the sky, which puts everyone before God and the Virgin Mary.
In the interior of Paraíba a tournament between cowboys who must demonstrate mastery in knocking an ox down by the tail while they ride.
João Grilo is a backwoodsman who tries to get along at the expense of the powerful in the city, who pretend to be respectful of morals and good customs and hide their sins. But when a band of cangaceiros attacks the small town, everyone has to settle accounts with God and the Devil.