One of best ways to enjoy the long process of learning a new language is by consuming as much media as possible in that language. And one of the best ways to do that is by watching movies produced in that language.
Brazilian cinema is huge, and we have even won an Oscar, I made a point of handpicking a few of our best movies for you to watch. The point of watching original media produced by native speakers is that you can immerse yourself in the culture and you don’t need to take the risk of losing nuances in translation when it comes to dubbed media.
The titles under National are great productions, but the actors still retain their regional accents. The titles under Extremely Regional are small productions made by independent actors and organizations across Brazil, so if you can understand what’s being said in them, I’ll have to hand it to you and compliment your Brazilian Portuguese, because they are the boss of bosses when it comes to dialects and accents.
National
Ainda estou aqui
Set during Brazil's military dictatorship, the film follows Eunice Paiva after her husband disappears at the hands of the regime. As she searches for answers, she transforms personal loss into a determined fight for justice and human rights.
Lisbela e o Prisioneiro
Lisbela and the Prisoner follows Lisbela, a young woman who loves going to the movies and spends her days dreaming about the Hollywood heartthrobs she sees on screen. Leléu is a charming drifter and smooth-talking womanizer who arrives in her town during one of his many adventures. The two quickly fall in love, but there's a complication: Lisbela is already engaged.
Central do Brasil
A woman who writes letters for a living in downtown Rio de Janeiro meets Josué, a boy trying to find the father he has never met.
O Auto da Compadecida
The adventures of João Grilo, a poor and crafty man from Brazil's northeast, and Chicó, the most cowardly of men. Struggling to make a living, the two friends get involved in a series of misadventures while tricking the people of the small village of Taperoá, in the backlands of Paraíba. Their salvation comes with the appearance of `Nossa Senhora`.
Gonzaga - De Pai pra Filho
Seeking a new life, Gonzaga leaves home while still young and sets off for the city, hoping to move on from a painful romance and build a better future. There he meets Odaléia, and the two start a family together. When circumstances force him back onto the road, Gonzaga chooses to spend years traveling across Brazil to support his son and secure opportunities for him. The long periods apart gradually create tension between father and son, whose strong personalities often put them at odds. Inspired by conversations between the two, the film tells the story of legendary musician Luiz Gonzaga, widely known as the King of Baião, and his son Gonzaguinha.
O Homem do Futuro
João, also known as Zero, is a brilliant scientist whose life has been shaped by a humiliating incident that took place twenty years earlier. The event not only left a lasting mark on him but also cost him Helena, the woman he never stopped loving. When one of his inventions unexpectedly allows him to travel back in time, he sees a chance to rewrite the past and change his future. However, altering history brings unforeseen consequences, and upon returning to the present, he finds his life completely transformed. To set things right, he may have to journey into the past once again.
O Tempo e o Vento
Set in Rio Grande do Sul at the end of the 19th century, the story follows the long-standing rivalry between the Amaral and Terra-Cambará families in the town of Santa Fé. When the Terra-Cambará household is surrounded by their enemies, the family must defend their home with the resources they have available. As the siege drags on for days, supplies begin to run low.
2 Filhos de Francisco
A determined farmer dreams of turning two of his sons into a successful country music duo. Encouraged by their father's ambition, the brothers begin performing at local events before taking their music to a larger audience in Goiânia. Their talent quickly attracts attention, and early success seems within reach. However, an unexpected tragedy changes everything and forces them to abandon their plans.
Years later, one of the brothers remains committed to a career in music despite repeated setbacks and financial struggles. After several disappointments, he finds new hope by forming a partnership with another brother, setting the stage for the rise of one of Brazil's most famous sertanejo duos, Zezé Di Camargo & Luciano.
Caramelo
Pedro is a talented chef on the verge of opening his own restaurant when a life-changing diagnosis forces him to reconsider what truly matters. During this difficult period, he forms an unexpected bond with a friendly stray dog, a beloved Brazilian mixed-breed known as a "caramelo." As they face life's challenges together, Pedro begins to see the world from a different perspective and discovers new strength, purpose, and companionship. Through their journey, an unlikely friendship grows into a powerful source of hope and inspiration.
Até que a sorte nos separe
Tino's life changes overnight when he wins the lottery and suddenly finds himself living in luxury with his family. After years of extravagant spending, however, the fortune runs out, leaving him completely broke. Desperate to get his finances under control, he turns to his highly organized neighbor for help. At the same time, Tino goes to great lengths to hide the truth from his pregnant wife, fearing the news could cause her unnecessary stress. As he struggles to maintain appearances, a series of misunderstandings and comedic situations quickly spiral out of control.
O Homem Que Desafiou o Diabo
Zé Araújo enjoys a carefree life filled with music, nightlife, and good times. After being pressured into an unwanted marriage, he spends years trapped in an unhappy relationship and subjected to constant humiliation. Eventually reaching his breaking point, he abandons his old life and rides off in search of freedom and adventure. Reinventing himself as Ojuara, he embarks on a series of extraordinary journeys, crossing paths with dangerous rivals and finding himself in increasingly unusual situations.
Extremely Regional
The movies below are extremely regional and will show you a part of Brazil that you probably didn’t know about. All of them are on YouTube so you can just follow the links and watch it.
State of Piauí
- Ai que Vida 1 (What a life)
Ai que vida 1 happens in a small town in the beautiful state of Piauí.
A story of politics, romance, and community, set in the fictional town of Poço Fundo. As Cleonice launches a campaign for mayor, her son Valdir becomes involved with a charitable organization and unexpectedly falls in love.
State of Pará
- Ai que vida 12 - Deu boto na rede de Tunico (What a life 12 - There’s a Amazon pink dolphin in Tunico’s hammock)
This charming low-budget film follows Raimunda, a young woman who leaves her hometown for the capital city. When she returns to Ponta de Pedras years later with her boyfriend, she has completely reinvented herself. Now insisting on being called Ray instead of Raimunda, she embraces a more sophisticated image, leading to humorous and memorable situations as she reconnects with her roots.
Deu boto na rede de Tonico was filmed in Ponta de Pedras, a small town in the Marajó archipelago in the state of Pará. You might have heard of Pará before, because it is one of the biggest producers of açaí.
That’s it for now! Just pick a movie and watch it right now or even binge-watch some of them. That’ll improve your comprehension skills greatly. Te vejo no próximo post!