Joaquim (2017)

Joaquim (2017). Joaquim: Directed by Marcelo Gomes. With Julio Machado, Isabél Zuaa, Rômulo Braga, Marco Perpétuo. A partly fictional, partly historical account of the life of Brazil's national hero Joaquim José da Silva Xavier, alias Tiradentes.

“The movie shows who has been the man Joaquim behind the character Tiradentes who entered Brazilian History. To say more, the film shows what was Brazil in colonial times. Mud, blood, sweat, slaves, natural chats, blacks, natives, mestizos, Portugueses, power relations. Camera does not show the distant sight of historian, but, moving, it throws spectator in that real Brazil which does not make Brazilians proud, in spite of gorgeous cinematography. Even though the story is romanticized, this is a real History, with no heroes. Slavery was the rule, corruption and exploitation were the way things happened. Blacks and Indians were not much more than oxen or horses, although human relations could have various paths and their position could change according them. Direction is amazing, as the film shows impressive control from innovative filmmaking to quite natural speaking in good dialogues.”