Review of Behind the Sun (2013) by Lee M — 01 May 2010

1. Abril Despedacado: Or the rather cringe inducing english-language title of 'Behind The Sun' begins my new love affair with Brazilian cinema. With my independent trip to Rio looming I have decided to devote myself for the coming months to the countries cinema. One which has suffered timeless manipulations and change throughout its history. Starting with arguably Brazil's most contemporary well known director 'Walter Salles', I start with this, his 3rd feature film (4th if counting the bizaare documentary of 95's Socorro Nobre), but this engaging if plot light exploit into the usual Brazilian humdrum poor social class melodrama has a lot more to offer than the usual stereotype-drenched Brazilian cinema of late (City of God and Salles' own recent rags to ritches Linha de Passe). While there remain some thematic elements within this rather shallow story that do not quite fit within the narrative (the rather contrived and forcefully added in love story), it is the intriguing and touching relationship between the two brothers which allows 'Abril' to become something much more meaningful to Brazilian cinema. The imagery and cinematography such as that of 'the swinging' and the deeply symbolic meanings of life and death in feuding poor families do add a little bit more to the fray, and with such a gorgeous score to accompany the slightly predictable yet moving ending 'Abril' can stand proud amongst Brazil's recent long term relationship with poetic spectacle, while its plot remains as expected as ever.

Verdict: 79/100 - If you can stomach this popular foder (excuse my portugese) as true Brazilian cinema, or are a mere mainstream spectator interested in foreign film there are a lot worse places to start than here, though the title may be the deal breaker...