This film explores life in the Portuguese region, Trás-os-Montes, a notably isolated area where long standing traditions have continued to thrive. The film depicts a deeply religious society, not exactly impoverished, but certainly a world without material luxuries. Ethnographic films can be fascinating, but also hard-work, and this is no exception. The narrative is disjointed, and the film blurs the line between documentary and drama throughout. The experience is reminiscent of Bunuel's early film, Land Without Bread, which has a bleaker rural setting, and also the more recent Portuguese films of Pedro Costa, set in the Fontainhas region of Lisbon. However, for those who enjoy cinema that gives insights into other worlds and other ways of life, there is much to enjoy here.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
