Watch Lavoura Arcaica

Lavoura Arcaica is a Brazilian drama film that was released in the year 2001. Directed by Luiz Fernando Carvalho, this movie tells the story of a family living in a rural area of Brazil, and the struggles they go through after the eldest son runs away from home. The story begins with the son, André (played by Selton Mello), who is tired of the strict and oppressive rules of his father, Pedro (played by Raul Cortez). André decides to leave home and start a new life on his own. His younger sister, Ana (played by Simone Spoladore), is devastated by his departure and tries to convince him to stay, but André is determined to leave.

As the story unfolds, we learn more about the family’s backstory and the reasons behind their strict and oppressive rules. It is revealed that Pedro had a relationship with his own sister, Ana’s mother, which resulted in the birth of Ana. This led to a lot of shame and guilt within the family, and Pedro’s strict rules were an attempt to suppress any desires or feelings that could lead to similar situations.

After André leaves, Ana feels trapped in her restrictive life and yearns for freedom. She becomes close to her brother’s friend, Juliano (played by Leonardo Medeiros), who shares a similar desire for freedom. However, their relationship becomes complicated when Pedro discovers it and becomes even more oppressive.

The film explores themes of love, desire, family, and the struggle between tradition and freedom. The performances by the lead actors are exceptional, particularly Selton Mello as André and Simone Spoladore as Ana. The cinematography is also striking, making use of the beautiful rural landscapes of Brazil.

One of the standout elements of Lavoura Arcaica is its use of language. The film is based on a novel by Raduan Nassar, and much of the dialogue is taken directly from the book. This gives the film a poetic and lyrical quality that is rare in modern cinema. The language is also used to explore the characters’ motivations and internal struggles in a deeply profound way.

Overall, Lavoura Arcaica is a beautifully crafted film that explores complex themes with depth and nuance. Its stunning performances, cinematography, and use of language make it a must-see for anyone interested in world cinema.