Arne Sucksdorff


I was glad to see that some Brazilians have fond memories of this movie, just like Swedes do. Story, acting, music and not least the setting on the hillsides and beaches of Rio in the sixties makes it unforgettable.
Sucksdorff had left Sweden in anger after the poor reception of his last film, Boy in the Tree (which was perhaps the story of his own adolescence).
Forever angry and a rebel, he left Sweden to settle in Brazil, where he made just one movie, had an unhappy marriage with a native woman, and returned to Sweden in the nineties.
He was as interested in the human condition as he was in animals and nature. He was not an exotist; his interest and love for other cultures and the people was deep and honest. Coupled with his excellent story-telling, his films are top notch and deserve to be seen.
Ingmar Bergman described him (with admiration!) as "the most stubborn person I have ever met".
It would be interesting to hear more remembrances from Brazilians on this movie.

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