An educational short documentary by Zelito Viana that presents the long Belém-Brasília highway bringing the center region of Brazil all the way to the North, a development constructed during the Juscelino Kubitschek years (it has a slightly yet silent tribute to the man that escaped the military regime censors, who were firmly opposed to the man).

Unlike the unfinished Transamazônica created by the military and which would connect all the North states cutting plenty of spaces of the Amazon forest, the Belém-Brasília was a successful case but not without controversies. Like many great enterprises destined to help people, this one also caused problems with locals that were removed from spaces, or had to deal with a massive movement of folks from all around Brazil to what once was a peaceful place; the deforestation that made animals lose their habits or end up getting killed on the road; and while the film doesn't address directly, creating a sort of mystery about it, the death of one of its developers Bernardo Sayão, killed on a freak accident when a tree was cut and fell right into his forest office - of which he asked to be moved as he wanted to get close to the construction site.

Viana's short is filled with beauty through the poetry of many authors, intertwined with the director's own writings, along with the landscape images of small progress coming to the North areas and Brasília, the locals observing the camera focusing on them and they don't know how to react - a typical thing in countless similar films. It doesn't offer much of a critical take, neither feels too complimentary of everything. It's often too sparse to form a unique view of everything, but it's not something that hurts the film; it just makes it a little empty. 6/10.

Portuguese-language cinema, spanning Portugal, Brazil, and other Lusophone regions, focuses on history, cultural identity, and the struggles of ordinary people, often framed with poetic or allegorical storytelling. In Portugal, cinema has emphasized meditative pacing and philosophical depth, reflecting on memory and tradition. In Brazil, it has often been politically charged and socially vibrant, highlighting inequality and resilience while experimenting with popular and avant-garde forms.

Alexandre Rodrigues in City of God (2002)

The documentary is a form of non-fiction storytelling that aims to present factual information, insights, and perspectives on real-world subjects, events, issues, or people. Documentaries can cover a wide range of topics, including history, science, culture, social issues, nature, biographies, and more.

Dziga Vertov in Man with a Movie Camera (1929)

The short form refers to creative works characterized by their brevity and concise storytelling. Unlike full-length feature films, short films have a running time of less than 45 minutes, while TV shorts have a running time of less than 22 minutes.

Benedict Cumberbatch in The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar (2023)

A short documentary that follows the Belém-Brasília highway and its importance through all the regions and states it crosses.

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Rodovia Belém - Brasília

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