O Pagador de Promessas

I love to watch old black and white movies and if you look for the history of foreign films up for an Oskar you find some gems like this movie. Such a real Brazilian movie and especially from Salvador de Bahia, the old capital where the cultural history of Brazil (except for the original people) is present. Colonial white oppression, the corrupt white middle class, the African people with their religious cultures and capoeira, the Catholic Church between them but like always only saving it's own position and then simple campesino who embodies the true values of human kind. In a collusion of them all, feasts, religion and fights occur and turn into a spiritual happening, a cruxifiction in which human dignity prevails. A wonderful movie from times when things seems to be clear.

One of those overlooked Films in Cinema History, Honest, multi-layered and amazingly contemporary, this is one of those movies that have admirably stood the test of time, add to that Winning the prestigious Palm d'Or at Cannes 1962.

It is not a surprise that this movie won the golden palm in Cannes. The story of the man that carry a big and heavy cross as a promise for the healing of his donkey is the simpliest and the most beautiful. The poetic way as it is shown became the film an unforgettable classic, with Zé as the protagonist. For sure, technically it is a pre-historic film, the sound quality and editing is really bad, but it even help the audience to focus what really cares. That is not only about poverty, but about humanity. If you liked Central Station, you can't miss.

This film is great! One of the best movies I have ever seen. About faith, religion, poverty...well, about life and all that surrounds us

Could have been just another sentimental and dishonest movie about human condition but no! It is beautiful and trully rewarding... A Masterpiece, do yourselves a favor and watch this movie!

In my opinion this is one of the best Brazilian movie ever made and also the best movie about religion and its implications to a society in general.

It is a mix of religion, politic, culture, beliefs, prejudices, intolerance. It starts as a simple and innocence gesture from a poor man to pay homage to a Saint after his donkey gets miraculous healed, but instead it becomes a bizarre show of enormous proportions. The authority of the church, the misleading politicians, the media and the crowd use the cause for their own gain. It's a battle between the bureaucracy of norms and the innocence of simple causes. Amazing performances by the main cast.

This movie was awarded with Palme D'Or and the Oscar candidate for Brazil.

THIS IS A MUST SEE MOVIE, it worth every minute of it.