Nayara Henriques
It was a hectic Friday the 13th in the city of Rio de Janeiro. While Central do Brasil was being prepared to host the Comício das Reformas, a few kilometers away, in Cinelândia, “Deus e o Diabo na Terra do Sol” would be screened for the first time.
The film narrates the journey of cowherd Manuel and his wife Rosa as they flee across the sertão while being pursued by the bounty hunter Antônio das Mortes. During the escape, they begin by joining the followers of the blessed Sebastião and end up involved with the cangaceiros led by Corisco.
The first screening of the film took place at the Vitória cinema and was held only for a few critics and crew members. In the end, director Glauber Rocha and his friends didn't think twice and went out to join the crowd that had taken over Central station.
In the film, Corisco's last words are: "Stronger are the powers of the people." At the rally, Jango let his words fly at the microphone: “Today, with the Nation's high witness and with the solidarity of the people, gathered in the square that belongs to the people alone, the government, which is also the people and which also belongs to the people alone, reaffirms its unshakable purpose of fighting with all its strength for the reform of Brazilian society.” On that same day, the film would be nominated as one of the Brazilian representatives at the Cannes Festival. The nomination would come from the
Cultural Department of Itamaraty.
Four days later, on March 17, Glauber Rocha was given a standing ovation at a press screening at the Ópera cinema: "it is the most important film of Brazilian cinema that we know of. But that's not all: it is also an important document of modern cinematography worldwide, and an impressive revelation of a filmmaker's talent," wrote journalist Fernando Ferreira in
O Globo
the next day.
Image description: This is a photograph of a group of people gathered around a table covered with a checkered tablecloth. The image is in vivid color, showing seven individuals seated around the table, with drinks and glasses spread across it. The men are wearing short-sleeved shirts, varying in color and pattern. Most appear to be focused on something outside the frame, while a few look directly at the camera. The background suggests they are in a social setting, possibly a bar or restaurant, with tables and chairs visible in the background.Da esquerda para direita, a partir da cabeceira da mesa, em primeiro plano: Nelson Pereira dos Santos (camisa pólo); Ruy Guerra (de barba); Joaquim Pedro de Andrade; Walter Lima Jr. (de óculos, com um maço de cigarros na mão); Zelito Viana (de óculos com cigarro na mão); Luiz Carlos Barreto (com um maço de cigarros na mão); Glauber Rocha; Leon Hirszman.
1967 circa. Foto de David Drew Zingg. Instituto Moreira Salles