This week we learned about Cinema Novo, a Brazilian film movement that lasted through the 60s and 70s. It was created and contributed to by filmmakers who wanted to show the struggles of Brazil’s working class and poor communities, also tackling the subject of race. Some of the more well-known directors from this movement include Glauber Rocha, Nelson Pereira dos Santos, Carlos Diegues, and Ruy Guerra.

I liked how Eryk Rocha’s documentary on Cinema Novo wasn’t just a traditional documentary but instead felt like an artistic experience. Rather than presenting a straightforward history, Rocha used a mix of archival footage, interviews, and abstract editing to immerse the audience in the movement’s energy. The visuals and sounds blended together in a way that made the documentary feel more like a film from the Cinema Novo movement itself rather than just a film about it. This approach made the documentary engaging, even if at times it felt a little overwhelming or hard to follow. I appreciated how Rocha let the movement speak for itself through its films rather than relying too much on narration

I respect what the filmmakers were trying to do. Cinema Novo was all about pushing boundaries, challenging mainstream filmmaking, and giving a voice to people who were usually ignored in Brazilian cinema. It’s inspiring how these directors used whatever resources they had to create bold films with a political message. I also think it’s impressive that their influence can still be seen in modern filmmaking, especially in movies that focus on social and political messages.

-Robbie Atienza