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1960s – today

Brazilian Cinema

From the rebellious Cinema Novo of the 1960s to the modern thrillers and social dramas of Recife and Rio.

Brazil's cinema has swung between popular comedies and fiercely political work. Cinema Novo, led by Glauber Rocha, Nelson Pereira dos Santos, Ruy Guerra and Joaquim Pedro de Andrade, used dry landscapes, hunger and myth in the 1960s to talk about inequality, and it was suppressed during the 1964–85 dictatorship. After a crisis in the early 1990s, the 'retomada' revived the industry with Walter Salles' Central Station (1998), and Fernando Meirelles' City of God (2002) made worldwide waves. Directors such as José Padilha, Karim Aïnouz and Kleber Mendonça Filho now tell stories of social tension, memory and city life.

Where
Brazil
When
1960s to the present, with a revival from the late 1990s
Key figures
Glauber Rocha, Nelson Pereira dos Santos, Ruy Guerra, Héctor Babenco, Walter Salles, Fernando Meirelles, Kleber Mendonça Filho
Landmark films
Barren Lives (1963), Black God, White Devil (1964), Pixote (1980), City of God (2002)
Legacy
Combines political boldness with a strong, popular visual energy

What to look for

  • Poverty, inequality and favela or sertão settings
  • Fast, energetic editing in recent crime films
  • A mix of myth, music and political critique

Famous Directors

Glauber RochaBrazilNelson Pereira dos SantosBrazilRuy GuerraMozambique / BrazilJoaquim Pedro de AndradeBrazilHéctor BabencoArgentina / BrazilFernando MeirellesBrazilWalter SallesBrazilJosé PadilhaBrazilKleber Mendonça FilhoBrazilKarim AïnouzBrazil

Top films · 58 films

  1. City of God 2002 · Fernando Meirelles · IMDb 8.6
  2. I'm Still Here 2024 · Walter Salles · IMDb 8.1
  3. Central Station 1998 · Walter Salles · IMDb 8.0
  4. Elite Squad 2007 · José Padilha · IMDb 8.0
  5. Pixote 1981 · Héctor Babenco · IMDb 7.9
  6. Bus 174 2002 · José Padilha · IMDb 7.8
  7. Boca de Ouro 1963 · Nelson Pereira dos Santos · IMDb 7.7
  8. The Motorcycle Diaries 2004 · Walter Salles · IMDb 7.7
  9. Carandiru 2003 · Héctor Babenco · IMDb 7.6
  10. Os Fuzis 1964 · Ruy Guerra · IMDb 7.6
  11. Behind the Sun 2001 · Walter Salles · IMDb 7.6
  12. The Two Popes 2019 · Fernando Meirelles · IMDb 7.6
  13. Pictures of Ghosts 2023 · Kleber Mendonça Filho · IMDb 7.6
  14. Vidas Secas 1963 · Nelson Pereira dos Santos · IMDb 7.5
  15. Rio, 40 Degrees 1955 · Nelson Pereira dos Santos · IMDb 7.5
  16. A Queda 1978 · Ruy Guerra · IMDb 7.5
  17. Foreign Land 1995 · Walter Salles · IMDb 7.4
  18. Aquarius 2016 · Kleber Mendonça Filho · IMDb 7.4
  19. Entranced Earth 1967 · Glauber Rocha · IMDb 7.3
  20. Kiss of the Spider Woman 1985 · Héctor Babenco · IMDb 7.3
  21. The Priest and the Girl 1966 · Joaquim Pedro de Andrade · IMDb 7.3
  22. The Constant Gardener 2005 · Fernando Meirelles · IMDb 7.3
  23. Bacurau 2019 · Kleber Mendonça Filho · IMDb 7.3
  24. The Secret Agent 2025 · Kleber Mendonça Filho · IMDb 7.2
  25. Black God, White Devil 1964 · Glauber Rocha · IMDb 7.1
  26. Barravento 1962 · Glauber Rocha · IMDb 7.1
  27. Linha de Passe 2008 · Walter Salles · IMDb 7.1
  28. Neighboring Sounds 2012 · Kleber Mendonça Filho · IMDb 7.1
  29. Antonio das Mortes 1969 · Glauber Rocha · IMDb 7.0
  30. Os Cafajestes 1962 · Ruy Guerra · IMDb 7.0
  31. Garrincha: Alegria do Povo 1962 · Joaquim Pedro de Andrade · IMDb 7.0
  32. The Conspirators 1972 · Joaquim Pedro de Andrade · IMDb 7.0
  33. Madame Satã 2002 · Karim Aïnouz · IMDb 7.0
  34. The Amulet of Ogum 1974 · Nelson Pereira dos Santos · IMDb 6.8
  35. At Play in the Fields of the Lord 1991 · Héctor Babenco · IMDb 6.8
  36. Macunaíma 1969 · Joaquim Pedro de Andrade · IMDb 6.8
  37. Conjugal Warfare 1975 · Joaquim Pedro de Andrade · IMDb 6.8
  38. How Tasty Was My Little Frenchman 1971 · Nelson Pereira dos Santos · IMDb 6.7
  39. Ironweed 1987 · Héctor Babenco · IMDb 6.7
  40. Eréndira 1983 · Ruy Guerra · IMDb 6.6
  41. Ópera do Malandro 1986 · Ruy Guerra · IMDb 6.6
  42. The Age of the Earth 1980 · Glauber Rocha · IMDb 6.5
  43. Blindness 2008 · Fernando Meirelles · IMDb 6.5
  44. Motel Destino 2024 · Karim Aïnouz · IMDb 6.5
  45. King of the Night 1975 · Héctor Babenco · IMDb 6.4
  46. The Lion Has Seven Heads 1970 · Glauber Rocha · IMDb 6.3
  47. Futuro Beach 2014 · Karim Aïnouz · IMDb 6.3
  48. Jubiabá 1986 · Nelson Pereira dos Santos · IMDb 6.2
  49. The Brazilwood Man 1982 · Joaquim Pedro de Andrade · IMDb 6.1
  50. RoboCop 2014 · José Padilha · IMDb 6.1
  51. On the Road 2012 · Walter Salles · IMDb 6.0
  52. Cabezas Cortadas 1970 · Glauber Rocha · IMDb 5.8
  53. Dark Water 2005 · Walter Salles · IMDb 5.6
  54. Tent of Miracles 1977 · Nelson Pereira dos Santos
  55. Memories of Prison 1984 · Nelson Pereira dos Santos
  56. Elite Squad: The Enemy Within 2010 · José Padilha
  57. Suely in the Sky 2006 · Karim Aïnouz
  58. The Invisible Life of Eurídice Gusmão 2019 · Karim Aïnouz