Feature Review: Behind
The Sun (Abril Despedaçado)
 Written by:
Katherine Brodsky
Rated: 7/10
The latest Miramax export is "Behind the Sun," a Brazilian film
from Oscar-nominated "Central Station's" director Walter Salles. Despite its
native tongue, the filmmaking aspects of "Sun" speak the universal language of
love, life and family. It's lyrical and melancholy, despairing and hopeful all at the same
time. It's the stuff that movies are made of, yet something is missing. Unfortunately the
film is restricted by poor dynamics, odd choices and a story that is simply not relevant
to today's audience.
The film takes place in 1910 Brazil, in the middle of nowhere. Two sons
from the Breves family harvest and grind sugarcane at the fierce commend of their father
(José Dumont) in order to survive. Meanwhile, a generations-long blood feud is going on
between the the Ferreiras and Breves family over a disagreement in regards to land. The
rules of the feud pass from one generation to the next. First a Ferreira man kills a
Breves man, then this is followed up by revenge from the Breves family and so on. When
someone from either family has been killed, his blood-stained shirt is left out in the sun
to dry till it turns yellow, until it does so there is truce.
"An eye for an eye - Till everyone is blind," best describes the
film's sentiment. It's a line that is introduced to us by the impressive young narrator of
the film, Pacu "the Kid" (Ravi Ramos Lacerda) of the Breves family. Pacu knows
that his older brother Tonio (Rodrigo Santoro) will be killed as quickly as time ticks
away, the bloody-shirt changes color and the film's end credits roll.
Meanwhile, the circus passes through town and both brothers are thrust into a ring of
passion. Pacu is introduced to books and imagination, while Tonio meets the fire-breathing
star of the circus and is overcome by love. However, while we see the physical sparks, the
emotional sparks fail to ignite. There is no indication as to why the couple is so
attracted to each other. After all, they hardly talk to each other.
What really stands out in the film, are the shots. Walter Salles takes a
somewhat poetical approach. Each scene is artfully directed. He uncovers the picture, he
shows instead of telling. That's something that many recent US directors can take lessons
on. Something that's also very interesting is the way the camera plays with our
imagination. We keep guessing about each movement. In a sense, we're the hunted. It's
unfortunate that Salles hasn't quite mastered dynamics well enough. He exhibits a gift for
magically capturing our attention during certain moments, yet he lets that magic escape
too often into a vessel for boredom.
The actors are also quite impressive here. Their facial expressions are
strong enough to compensate for our ignorance of the Brazilian language. Rodrigo Santoro
is especially successful in doing this. In the end though, it's really the youthful Ravi
Ramos Lacerda that ignites sparks with his acting charms throughout the movie.
"Behind the Sun" won't leave you hot, but it won't burn you either. It's worthy
of viewing due to some interesting acting and directing, but don't expect sparks to fly.
Cast: Jose Dumont,
Rodrigo Santoro, Ravi Ramos Lacerda
Directed by: Walter Salles
Screenplay by: Salles, Karim Ainouz and Sergio Machado
Distributor: Miramax Films/Alliance Atlantis
Running Time: 91 min.
MPAA Rating: PG-13 (for some violence and a scene of sexuality)
Review Date: May 01, 2002
Language: In Portuguese with English subtitle
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