Demob Happy

South American Heart of Darkness

7/10

Brazil is the epic love story of Tristao and Isabel, a young black criminal from the Rio favellas and the rich white daughther of a powerful politician. Meeting on the dazzling sand and surf of Copacabana Beach, there’s is a tragic romance that crosses the racial and economic boundaries of one of the world’s most inequal countries. They embark on a voyage into Brazil’s Heart of Darkness, from the rapid urbanisation of Rio and Sao Paolo to the goldmining frontier towns and pre-colonial civilisations of the interior.

Their journey is like a Diego Rivera mural of Brazilian history, culture and sexuality, taking in Shamans and bandits, corrupt politicians and witchcraft, magic and betrayal. Part Homerian Odyssey, it is not an attempt at real-life life drama but more of a representational tableaux. Part Shakespearean tragedy, it has histrionic dialogue and charcaters undergong extraordinary metaphysical transformations. An outsider’s dream of the country, for sure, but a vivid and wild ride all the way.