History was never more fun and intelligently conceived as the one presented in this great short by Jorge Furtado ("Ilha das Flores"). The tragic conflict
that happened in the Northwest of Brazil in the late 1890's is presented with an important context on why the government of Prudente de Moraes fell against the poor
rebel peasants fighting against social injustice - the problematic started with the rich businessmen who imposed several working difficulties the poor workers after
problems grew when the British empire wasn't buying cotton from Brazil (important trading product back then) and the excessive weaponry given to our government which was
heavily used against the people in Canudos. The American Civil War from previous years also had a large part in that as well. By the time one watches the epic
"Guerra de Canudos" one gets the sense the religious crowd led by Antonio Conselheiro was just a bunch of anarchists, when in fact they actually had a good cause
thuough a lost one.
The multi-talented Pedro Cardoso is the one who takes us back to the conflict by playing five different characters: a teacher from the present days who tells
viewers the forementioned insight; the leader Conselheiro urging his followers to take up in arms and fight; the Brazilian president on the other side; an Inlander with
his family describing the conflict around them; and a preacher.
Mr. Furtado makes a funny mixture of characters, time periods, settings and objects in order to compose his didatic short film. Bear in mind that such didatic isn't used here as a preachy way to teach History. He makes things simple, objective and fun to watch by making use of comedic sketches.
However, it all ends as in real life a huge conflict that led to the killing of Canudos habitants. The Matadeira of the title
refers to the cannonball part of the heavy artillary used by the army against the population, and a new weapon in the armed forces predominantely sold by the British
in exchange for cotton and other products in the final days of monarchy in Brazil. Since those guns weren't used by the king, it just stood there quiet until Canudos
make countless attacks against the military leading to highly successful events. 9/10
