Cinema,Aspirins and Vultures

This Brazilian road movie tells the story of Johann, who has broken away from Nazi Germany to start a new life in Brazil. As an aspirin salesman he travels by jeep in the dessert-like Sertão trying to sell his merchandise. Although the local population don’t seem to be very interested in the medicine they are fascinated by the commercials that Johann screens and business goes on quite well. After picking up several hitch hikers on his journeys, he runs in Ranulpho, a talkative young man who wants nothing else but to leave the countryside and to go to Rio de Janeiro. Despite their different backgrounds and personal goals Ranulopho joins Johann as his assistant on their quest for individual freedom. This first feature by director Marcelo Gomes is a slow-paced character study as well as a sober description of the past situation in the undeveloped Sertão region. The characters’ awareness of the war is always present which helps to create a fascinating portrait of an unlikely friendship. The story roots in reality and was put into the picture by the director’s great uncle. ARRAM ECKERBOM