A relatively interesting and rare special covering the making of Sérgio Rezende's epic war drama "Guerra de Canudos", at the time of its release considered the most expensive film ever made in Brazil (budget around R$ 6 million). A stellar cast, a big crew, countless extras, and a detailed research involved to recreate Bahia of the late 1800's during the conflict of Canudos, registered in Euclides da Cunha's classic novel "Os Sertões", among many other historical registers. It's an impressive feat, unprecedent in terms of Brazilian films but achievable in terms of Globo soap operas.

The special doesn't escape from the usual conventions of behind the scenes projects: many clips from the film, the creation of certain sequences and loads of interviews with the stars, the director and some members of the crew. It's a little revealing, but not that much. For a major film like "Guerra de Canudos" one would expect an even bigger making of, that could present the historical conflict and then move to the sequences and their making. It's all too brief. But we get to see the work of a Hollywood makeup expert; bits from Edu Lobo working with the musicians of the score; and the actors describing their characters.

Gets a praise from me as those kind of featurettes were rare at the time, and it comes from a movie that needed something extra to show audiences, to prove that money was well spent in such a large production. 8/10.

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.

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Edu Lobo in Guerra de Canudos: Making Of (1997)

Guerra de Canudos: Making Of

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