Brazilian Saga: Carlos Diegues’ Cinematic Adventures

The Big City

Arriving in Rio de Janeiro from the northeast, Luzia (Anecy Rocha) searches for her fiancé Jasão, only to discover that he is now a feared thief operating in one of the city’s favelas.

Bye Bye Brazil

Diegues introduction and Q&A at April 12 screening!

A motley crew of traveling performers entertains a wide range of audiences across the massive northern Brazilian landscape, leading to a string of adventures across the Amazon.

Ganga Zumba

16th century slaves conspire to escape northeastern Brazilian sugar cane mills, led by young Ganga Zumba, who forms the first revolutionary republic in the Americas.

God is Brazilian

Before taking a vacation from Earth on a faraway star, God goes on a cross-country quest to find the ideal substitute to assume his enormous responsibilities.

The Greatest Love Ever

A highly respected astrophysicist learns that he has a fatal disease, and on his return to his native Brazil discovers his blood parents’ actual identity and unexpected love story.

The Heirs

Diegues introduction and Q&A at April 14 screening!

At the end of the turbulent 1960s, Diegues made this saga of a Brazilian family, tracking them from 1930 to 1964, the year of the military coup d’état.

Joanna the Frenchwoman

A sugar cane mill owner falls in love with brothel madam Jeanne (Jeanne Moreau) and takes her to his rural home, where she’s seduced by a world she’s never known.

Orfeu

Diegues introduction and Q&A at April 14 screening!

Top samba composer Orfeu is working on new arrangements for the upcoming Carnival in Rio de Janeiro, but a love affair with Eurídice sets off a cycle of jealousy and violence.

Quilombo

Diegues introduction and Q&A at April 13 screening!

Diegues returns to the heroic subject of his debut, Ganga Zumba, with Tony Tornado starring as the legendary leader of a group of slaves who have fled a Pernambuco sugar cane mill.

Rio’s Love Songs

Diegues creates a cinematic quilt of four episodes inspired by some of Brazil’s greatest songsmiths—Jorge Ben Jor, Gilberto Gil, Caetano Veloso and Chico Buarque.

Subway to the Stars

Introduction by Diegues at April 13 screening!

Realizing that his girlfriend has disappeared, Vinicius sets off on an odyssey across Rio de Janeiro to find her, encountering violence, misery and injustice, with music a constant, pulsing presence.

Summer Showers

No sooner does Afonso retire than he gets sucked into issues involving his daughter, friends and neighbors, leading to fresh, passionate sparks with longtime neighbor Isaura.

Tieta

Introduction by Diegues at April 14 screening!

Banished from her hometown as a teen, Tieta (Sonia Braga) returns two decades later a wealthy woman, but is soon scandalized by a love affair and terrible revelations.

Xica

Introduction by Diegues at April 12 screening!

Portuguese Crown representative João falls in love with black slave Xica and raises her to the prominent position of “Queen of Diamonds,” stirring the King’s worst fears.