User reviews

Renato (Agnaldo Camargo) and Miro (Grande Otelo) are black brothers raised by the family of the Caucasian Marta (Vera Nunes) in an old mansion in Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro. Renato is graduated and has always looked for dignity, winning in life due to his honesty and search for social recognition.His brother, on the contrary, is a rebel small time crook and he says that his behavior is the fruit of the treatment he received while living in the Caucasian family's house. Their step sister Marta has a crush on Renato. When she meets the crook Walter Mendes (Jorge Doria), Marta falls in love for him. Renato argues with Walter, they fight, Walter tries to shoot Renato, but Renato accidentally kills him. However, Moleque Miro is blamed and wrongly sent to prison. Renato assumes his guilty, and the young boy Hélio (Agnaldo Rayol), who witnessed the crime, convinces Marta to testify that Renato killed Walter in self-defense.

"Somos Todos Irmãos" is a movie made in the beginning of Brazilian cinema's new phase. In the end of the 40's, Brazilian cinema made a rupture with the previous model mainly due to the post-war; political changes; growing industrialization; and new references of the traditions of the Brazilian man and culture. In this movie, both black characters have different views of the society. The story does not fall in the usual melodramatic Hollywoodian clichés and there is no final redemption. This movie was produced by Atlântida but unfortunately the available copy is almost impossible to be heard. I probably understood less than 40% of the powerful dialogs. My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil: "Também Somos Irmãos" ("We Are Also Brothers")