Vidas Secas (DVD)

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"Vidas Secas" is adapted from a well-known novel by Brazilian author Graciliano Ramos. The chapters in the book are told from the points of view of different characters, and one chapter even relates the story from Baleia the dog´s perspective. This would seem to be nearly impossible to adapt to film, but Pereira dos Santos transforms it into the movie´s most memorable and grueling sequence. As the food runs out, Fabiano realizes they can no longer feed their faithful dog and must dispose of her. Pereira dos Santos forces us to watch through Baleia´s eyes during this brutal sequence. If you thought the ending of "Old Yeller" was tough to watch, you can barely imagine how heartbreaking this scene is. In fact, it was so disturbing and realistic it sparked a controversy at Cannes when an outraged viewer (and animal-rights supporter) became convinced that the film-makers had actually killed a dog (I discuss this more in the Extras section below).

"Vidas Secas" is one of the most depressing movies you will ever see, but it is also a vital work from one of Brazil´s most important and gifted filmmakers. I strongly recommend it.

Video

The film is presented in its original 1.33:1 full-screen aspect ratio. Many shots are overexposed, and the film often looks washed-out as a result, but that is by design. Some debris from the source print is visible in many scenes, and a fully restored transfer would be appreciated, but I don´t have any major complaints about this one.

Audio

The DVD is presented in Dolby Digital Mono. Optional English subtitles support the Portuguese audio.

Extras

There are two very entertaining extras included on this New Yorker release.

First, NYU Film Professor Robert Stam discusses the film in a brief interview (12 min.), talking mostly about its approach to adaptation but also discussing the movie´s relation to Cinema Novo. His discussion is concise and enlightening.

The second feature is the short film "Baleia the Dog" (2002, 20 minutes; original title "Como se Morre no Cinema"), directed by Luelane Correa. As I mentioned above, one clueless viewer at Cannes protested when she believed that Pereira dos Santos had actually killed Baleia the dog in the film. Even when the director brought Baleia by plane to the festival, the outraged woman refused to believe him, certain that the dog was an imposter. Correa´s screwball short takes a satiric look at the event from the vantage of yet another animal allegedly harmed during the filming. I enjoyed this immensely.

Closing Thoughts

"Vidas Secas" grabs you by the short and curlies and never lets go. Politically charged and actively engaged with social realities, "Vidas Secas" is anything but escapist cinema. If you don´t shy away from the challenge, I believe you will be richly rewarded by this film. Regardless, I doubt you will soon forget this angry, bitter lament for the oppressed.

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