Cinema, Aspirinas e Urubus (2005)

Director:

Marcelo Gomes

Writers:

Karim Ainouz (writer)
Paulo Caldas (writer)

Release Date:

19 April 2006 (France)

Genre:

Adventure | Drama

Plot:

A road movie about a German man who went to the North East of Brazil in the 1942 to sell Aspirin.

Plot Keywords:

1940s | Aspirin | Road Movie | WWII | Brazil

Awards:

22 wins & 7 nominations

Cast

João Miguel	...	Ranulpho
Peter Ketnath	...	Johann
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Madalena Accioly	...	Mulher da Cobra
Jeane Alves	...	Mulher Amamentando
Daniela Câmara	...	Neide
Veronica Cavalcanti	...	Maria da Paz
Jorge Clésio	...	Funcionário dos Correios
Lúcia do Acordeon	...	Sanfoneira
Mano Fialho	...	Caçador
Francisco Figueiredo	...	Rapaz na Estrada
Paula Francinete	...	Lindalva
Hermila Guedes	...	Jovelina
Sandro Guerra	...	Homem da Cobra
Irandhir	...	Manoel
José Leite	...	Dono do Restaurante
Nanego Lira	...	Funcionário da Estação de Trem
Arilson Lopes	...	Dono do Posto de Gasolina
Zezita Matos	...	Mulher da Galinha
Osvaldo Mil	...	Claudionor Assis
Fabiana Pirro	...	Adelina
Rodrigo Riszla	...	Stand in

Also Known As:

Movies, Aspirin and Vultures (International: English title) (literal title)

Runtime:

99 min | Argentina:99 min (Mar del Plata Film Festival)

Country:

Brazil

Language:

German | Portuguese

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Brazil:14 | Argentina:13

Filming Locations:

Cabaceiras, Paraíba, Brazil

Company:

Dezenove Filmes

Trivia:

The movie is based on story narrated by director's great-uncle Ranulpho Gomes, who sold aspirins in Brazil during the 40's.

A Simple and Pleasant Tale of Friendship

In 1942, the lonely German Johann (Peter Ketnath) travels through the arid roads in the country of the Northeast of Brazil in his truck selling aspirins in small villages, using advertisement movies to promote the medicine. He meets the drifter Ranulpho (João Miguel), who intends to go to Rio de Janeiro seeking a better life, and gives a ride to the man. While traveling together, they develop a close friendship, but on 31 August 1942, Brazil declares war to Germany and Johann has to decide if he should return to his home country and fight in the war, or stay in Brazil in a concentration camp; but the option of moving to Amazonas with the migrants of the drought seems to be feasible.

"Cinema, Aspirinas e Urubus" is a simple, realistic and pleasant tale of friendship. This road-movie has a story based on the performances of Peter Ketnath and mainly of João Miguel, whose character has some excellent lines, associated to a sharp screenplay and precise direction. I love Brazilian movies, but the indication of this good movie to a nomination to the Oscar seems much exaggerated to me. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "Cinema, Aspirinas e Urubus" ("Cinema, Aspirins and Vultures")