O VIAJANTE (The Traveler) is a gem from one of Brazil's "Cinema Novo" founders, Paulo Cesar Saraceni, who adapted, scripted, and directed it and premiered it here last night at the Brazilian Film Festival. It's a total cinematic feast with visual, story-telling, and dramatic effects enhancing the power of the original novel. O VIAJANTE stars the superb MARILIA PERA (the first South American ever honored in North America with a Best Actress Prize, for PIXOTE (1981) by the National Society of Film Critics). Ms. Pera's character is the main villager transformed by the "Viajante"'s arrival. Set in the 50's, in a very picturesque village in the mountains of Minas Gerais, the non-linear, philosophic, and Greek tragedy-like plot primarily involves four villagers whose lives are dragged beyond the limits of passion after a handsome traveling salesman arrives in town. His legacy is a mixed bag of blessings, love, death, damnation, pardon and resurrection. Not light entertainment, but powerful messages and riveting drama for those who follow as this masterpiece unfolds on the screen. I give it a 10!
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