By Roger Costa
MALES: THE REVOLT
An important historical achievement, Antonio Pitanga’s spiritual and revolutionary epic paints an accurate canvas of Brazilian Muslims and the establishment of the first mosque in Salvador. Set in 1835, the film perfectly recreates the atmosphere of endangerment among the enslaved community and the tyranny of the white lords. Told through the perspective of a young couple whom were separated when taken away from Africa and brought to Brazil as slaves, and their struggle to reconnect, the story introduces important facts on the shaping of Afro-Brazilian, or specifically, Afro-Bahian culture and its rich diversity of spiritual practices: the film introduces various characters of African religions, as well as the colonizing Catholicism. But the focus remains on the Muslim community as director Pitanga conducts the material with elements of Cinema Novo and historicism. The community’s strong bond and commitment, their faith and principles are depicted with accuracy while the design, sound and cinematography work harmoniously to deliver high quality imagery. Efficiently crafted and executed, it’s an essential piece of historical narrative.
(Screens Sunday, December 7th at 9:10pm at Cinema Village).
THE DUTCHMAN
Studying what is to be a Black man in modern America, director Andre Gaines’ mind-bending psychological thriller brings a sophisticated and appealing duel as actors Andre Holland and Kate Mara delve into a nightmarish, aggressively erotic and defying racial and moral battle on the course of a single night.
After failing to understand his wife’s motives during therapy, he’s guided to descend into the subway where he meets this strange white woman, who first tries to seduce him before getting into a dispute of principles and morals. The whole situation explicitly investigates the role of racial tensions in America and how it shapes relationships, behaviors and reactions. Gaines scores an attractive, mysterious and utterly complex drama, inviting the audience for contemplation and reflection.
Based on the polemic and award-winning 1964 play by Amiri Baraka, it’s a gripping surreal tale anchored by enigmatic performances and an explosive racial duel like nothing before.
(Screens Wednesday, December 10th at 8:30pm at Cinema Village).
MARIGHELLA
One of the most fearless Brazilian revolutionaries, Marighella became notorious during his arduous, bloody fight against the Military regime in the 60’s. Internationally renowned actor and Golden Globe nominee Wagner Moura’s controversial directorial debut deeply reflects on its protagonist’s direct conflict favoring his perspective as the conductor of the story.
The film presents important facts on the revolutionary’s relationship with his estranged son and wife, the members of his reactionary group, and his attempts to prove to society he wasn’t a criminal, instead he believed in fighting for people’s rights.
Moura conceived an explosive, intimate and extremely violent account of political battles, echoing our current times with brilliance.
Actor and multi-talented musician Seu Jorge plays the leading man, building up his character with nuance and power/manipulation control, but presenting undefined reactions and uncertain chemistry alongside his most emotional scenes, including those when violence is not present. At the thrilling moments of cat-and-mouse play, Seu Jorge delivers fine results as a merciless patriot.
An acclaimed selection at Berlin, Moura scores an outstanding and accurate biopic, pointing to the dangers of a disguised imperialism, which confirms him as a daring and fearless filmmaker.
(Screens Wednesday, December 10th at 3:30pm at Cinema Village).
(The 2025 ADIFF takes place November 28 thru December 14 with screenings at Cinema Village, Columbia University and others. Go to https://nyadiff.org/ for details and tickets.)
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