Popular from Brazil
Friendly Beast
(O Animal Cordial)
When a restaurant owner is the victim of an attempted armed robbery, he takes everyone hostage – the criminals, but also his staff and his customers.
- ✭ ✭ ✭
- Brazil • 2018
- Director Gabriela Amaral Almeida
- Cast Murilo Benício, Luciana Paes, Irandhir Santos, Camila Morgado, Jiddú Pinheiro, Ernani Moraes
- Genre Crime, Horror, Thriller
- Available on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Vudu, Amazon Video, YouTube, Tubi TV, VUDU Free, Amazon Prime Video with Ads
Mars One
(Marte Um)
A middle class Black family in Brazil adjusts to life under a far-right extremist president.
- ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭
- Brazil • 2022
- Director Gabriel Martins
- Cast Rejane Faria, Carlos Francisco, Camilla Damião, Cícero Lucas, Ana Hilário, Russo Apr
- Genre Drama
- Available on Netflix, Netflix basic with Ads
The Mechanism
(O Mecanismo)
A scandal erupts in Brazil during an investigation of alleged government corruption via oil and construction companies.
- ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭
- Brazil • 2018
- Creator Elena Soarez, José Padilha
- Cast Júlia Svacinna
- Genre Crime, Drama
- Available on Netflix, Netflix basic with Ads
Laerte-se
A beloved cartoonist's story behind her coming out as transgender.
- ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭
- Brazil • 2017
- Director Lygia Barbosa da Silva
- Cast Laerte Coutinho, Eliane Brum, Rita Lee, Glamour Garcia, Angeli
- Genre Documentary
- Available on Netflix, Netflix basic with Ads
The Pink Cloud
(A Nuvem Rosa)
When a deadly pink cloud mysteriously appears, Giovana and Yago are confined in an apartment together after a one-night stand.
- ✭ ✭ ✭
- Brazil • 2021
- Director Iuli Gerbase
- Cast Renata de Lélis, Eduardo Mendonça, Kaya Rodrigues, Helena Becker, Girley Paes
- Genre Drama, Science Fiction
- Available on Amazon Prime Video, Hoopla, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Vudu, Amazon Video, Microsoft Store, YouTube, Redbox, Freevee, Amazon Prime Video with Ads
New from Brazil
Two Irenes
(As Duas Irenes)
Two young girls, both named Irene, discover they are tied together by a dark, shocking secret.
- ✭ ✭ ✭
- Brazil • 2017
- Director Fabio Meira
- Cast Priscila Bittencourt, Isabela Torres, Marco Ricca, Susana Ribeiro, Inês Peixoto
- Genre Drama
- Available on Film Movement Plus
The Traitor
(Il traditore)
After trying to leave the mafia for Brazil, Tommaso Buscetta is forced to return to Italy and become an informant.
- ✭ ✭ ✭
- Italy, France, Germany • 2019
- Director Marco Bellocchio
- Cast Pierfrancesco Favino, Maria Fernanda Cândido, Fabrizio Ferracane, Fausto Russo Alesi, Luigi Lo Cascio, Bruno Cariello
- Genre Crime, Drama, Thriller
- Available on Starz, Starz Roku Premium Channel, Starz Amazon Channel, Starz Apple TV Channel, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Vudu, Amazon Video, YouTube, AMC on Demand
Mars One
(Marte Um)
A middle class Black family in Brazil adjusts to life under a far-right extremist president.
- ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭
- Brazil • 2022
- Director Gabriel Martins
- Cast Rejane Faria, Carlos Francisco, Camilla Damião, Cícero Lucas, Ana Hilário, Russo Apr
- Genre Drama
- Available on Netflix, Netflix basic with Ads
The Edge of Democracy
(Democracia em Vertigem)
A disturbing exploration into the complex truths behind the unraveling of two Brazilian presidencies.
- ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭
- Brazil • 2019
- Director Petra Costa
- Cast Dilma Rousseff, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Michel Temer, Eduardo Cunha, Jair Bolsonaro
- Genre Documentary
- Available on Netflix, Netflix basic with Ads
Shine Your Eyes
(Cidade Pássaro)
A Nigerian musician searches for his missing brother in this familiar but unique immigration narrative.
- ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭
- Brazil • 2020
- Director Matias Mariani
- Cast OC Ukeje, Chukwudi Iwuji, Indira Nascimento, Paulo André, Ike Barry
- Genre Drama
- Available on Apple TV, Google Play Movies, YouTube
Behind the Sun
(Abril Despedaçado)
They killed his brother. His father wants revenge. But if he takes it, they will come for him next.
- ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭
- Brazil, France, Switzerland • 2001
- Director Walter Salles
- Cast Rodrigo Santoro, José Dumont, Rita Assemany, Luiz Carlos Vasconcelos, Ravi Ramos Lacerda, Flavia Marco Antonio
- Genre Crime, Drama, Family, Thriller
- Available on Hoopla
The Territory
The Indigenous Uru-eu-wau-wau people fight back against deforestation and illegal settling on their land.
- ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭
- Brazil, Denmark, United States • 2022
- Director Alex Pritz
- Cast Neidinha Bandeira, Bitaté Uru-Eu-Wau-Wau, Ari Uru-Eu-Wau-Wau
- Genre Documentary
- Available on Hulu, Disney Plus
Central Airport THF
(Zentralflughafen THF)
A portrait of Berlin’s famed Tempelhof airport. Once glorified by Nazis, today it houses refugees and asylum seekers.
- ✭ ✭ ✭
- Germany, France, Brazil • 2018
- Director Karim Aïnouz
- Cast
- Genre Documentary
- Available on Film Movement Plus
The Cambridge Squatter
(Era o Hotel Cambridge)
A group of refugees and low-income workers occupy a hotel in São Paulo, facing daily trials and the constant threat of eviction.
- ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭
- Brazil, France, Spain • 2017
- Director Eliane Caffé
- Cast Carmen Silva, José Dumont, Isam Ahmad Issa, Suely Franco, Paulo Américo, Juliane Arguello
- Genre Documentary, Drama
- Available on Film Movement Plus
Carandiru
Dr. Drauzio Varella listens to the stories of prisoners in the Carandiru Penitentiary.
- ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭
- Brazil, Argentina, Italy • 2003
- Director Héctor Babenco
- Cast Luiz Carlos Vasconcelos, Milton Gonçalves, Ivan de Almeida, Aílton Graça, Maria Luísa Mendonça, Aida Leiner
- Genre Drama
- Available on Apple TV, Vudu, Amazon Video, Microsoft Store
Coffee with Cinnamon
(Café com Canela)
Five friends tell stories of love, loss, and grief.
- ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭
- Brazil • 2018
- Director Ary Rosa, Glenda Nicácio
- Cast Aline Brune, Valdineia Soriano, Babu Santana, Aldri Anunciação, Arlete Dias, Antônio Fábio
- Genre Drama
- Available on Film Movement Plus, Plex,
Invisible Life
(A Vida Invisível)
Two estranged sisters struggle to make lives for themselves despite the restrictive expectations of 1950s Brazil.
- ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭
- Brazil • 2019
- Director Karim Aïnouz
- Cast Carol Duarte, Julia Stockler, Fernanda Montenegro, Gregório Duvivier, Bárbara Santos, Flávia Gusmão
- Genre Drama
- Available on Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Freevee
Armageddon Time
A coming-of-age story about the strength of family and the generational pursuit of the American Dream.
- ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭
- United States, Brazil • 2022
- Director James Gray
- Cast Banks Repeta, Anne Hathaway, Jeremy Strong, Jaylin Webb, Anthony Hopkins, Ryan Sell
- Genre Drama
- Available on Peacock, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Vudu, Amazon Video, YouTube, Spectrum On Demand, FlixFling, AMC on Demand
Telescope Recommends
August Winds
(Ventos de Agosto)
Where things change, nature remains.
- ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭
- Brazil • 2014
- Director Gabriel Mascaro
- Cast Dandara de Morais, Geová Manoel do Santos, Gabriel Mascaro, Maria Salvino dos Santos, Antônio José dos Santos
- Genre Documentary, Mystery
- Available on Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Vudu, YouTube, Kino Now, Kanopy
Diamantino
A delirious comedy about a disgraced footballer.
- ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭
- Portugal, France, Brazil • 2018
- Director Daniel Schmidt
- Cast Carloto Cotta, Cleo Tavares, Anabela Moreira, Margarida Moreira, Carla Maciel
- Genre Comedy, Drama, Fantasy, Science Fiction
- Available on Amazon Prime Video, Dekkoo, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Vudu, Amazon Video, YouTube, Kino Now, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Kanopy
Neighboring Sounds
(O Som ao Redor)
Life in a neighbourhood in Recife, Brazil takes an unexpected turn after the arrival of an independent private security firm.
- ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭
- Brazil • 2012
- Director Kleber Mendonça Filho
- Cast Maeve Jinkings, Irandhir Santos, Gustavo Jahn, W.J. Solha, Irma Brown, Sebastião Formiga
- Genre Drama, Thriller
- Available on Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Vudu, YouTube, Kanopy
Elite Squad
(Tropa de Elite)
On the streets of Rio only the elite survive
- ✭ ✭
- Brazil, United States, Argentina • 2007
- Director José Padilha
- Cast Wagner Moura, Caio Junqueira, André Ramiro, Milhem Cortaz, Fernanda Machado, Maria Ribeiro
- Genre Drama, Action, Crime
- Available on Google Play Movies, Amazon Video, Microsoft Store, YouTube, Tubi TV, The Roku Channel
Sunday Ball
(Campo de Jogo)
A documentary following the annual championship game among neighborhood soccer teams in Rio de Janeiro.
- ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭
- Brazil • 2014
- Director Eryk Rocha
- Cast
- Genre Documentary
- Available on Apple TV
Araby
(Arábia)
A collection of life experiences. A road movie for Brazil's underclass.
- ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭
- Brazil • 2018
- Director João Dumans
- Cast Aristides de Sousa, Murilo Caliari, Gláucia Vandeveld, Renata Cabral, Renan Rovida
- Genre Drama
- Available on OVID, DocAlliance Films, Apple TV, Amazon Video, Kanopy
Bacurau
A Brazilian village is targeted by a group of armed mercenaries… who may have met their match.
- ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭
- Brazil • 2019
- Director Kleber Mendonça Filho, Juliano Dornelles
- Cast Bárbara Colen, Udo Kier, Sônia Braga, Thomas Aquino, Silvero Pereira, Wilson Rabelo
- Genre Mystery, Thriller, Western
- Available on Showtime Apple TV Channel, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Vudu, Amazon Video, YouTube, Kino Now, Kanopy
The Edge of Democracy
(Democracia em Vertigem)
A disturbing exploration into the complex truths behind the unraveling of two Brazilian presidencies.
- ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭
- Brazil • 2019
- Director Petra Costa
- Cast Dilma Rousseff, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Michel Temer, Eduardo Cunha, Jair Bolsonaro
- Genre Documentary
- Available on Netflix, Netflix basic with Ads
Prayers for the Stolen
(Noche de fuego)
Three young girls come of age in a small and war-torn town in Mexico.
- ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭
- Mexico, Germany, Brazil • 2021
- Director Tatiana Huezo
- Cast Mayra Batalla, Norma Pablo, Olivia Lagunas, Teresa Sánchez, Guillermo Villegas
- Genre Drama
- Available on Netflix, Netflix basic with Ads
Neon Bull
(Boi Neon)
An intimate depiction of a rodeo troupe touring the Brazilian Northeast.
- ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭
- Brazil, Uruguay, Netherlands • 2016
- Director Gabriel Mascaro
- Cast Juliano Cazarré, Maeve Jinkings, Aline Santana, Vinícius de Oliveira, Carlos Pessoa, Josinaldo Alves
- Genre Drama
- Available on Apple TV, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Kino Now, Kanopy
Zama
An officer must find a way to escape from South America in this film based on the 1956 novel.
- ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭
- Argentina, Brazil, Spain • 2017
- Director Lucrecia Martel
- Cast Daniel Giménez Cacho, Lola Dueñas, Matheus Nachtergaele, Juan Minujín, Nahuel Cano, Mariana Nunes
- Genre Drama
- Available on Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Vudu, Amazon Video, YouTube, Kanopy
The Salt of the Earth
(Le sel de la terre)
A journey through the Earth's wrath and beauty with Sebastião Salgado.
- ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭
- France, Brazil, Italy • 2014
- Director Wim Wenders
- Cast Juliano Ribeiro Salgado, Wim Wenders, Hugo Barbier
- Genre Documentary
- Available on Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Vudu, Amazon Video, Microsoft Store, YouTube
Tabu
When Pilar's befriended neighbour Aurora dies, he starts to dig into her past.
- ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭
- Portugal, Germany, Brazil • 2012
- Director Miguel Gomes
- Cast Teresa Madruga, Laura Soveral, Henrique Espírito Santo, Carloto Cotta, Isabel Muñoz Cardoso, Ivo Müller
- Genre Drama, Romance
- Available on MUBI, MUBI Amazon Channel, Kino Now, Kanopy
The Ornithologist
(O Ornitólogo)
A lone ornithologist is swept away by rapids while looking for black storks along a river, waking to an unfamiliar world.
- ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭
- Portugal, France, Brazil • 2016
- Director João Pedro Rodrigues
- Cast Paul Hamy, Xelo Cagiao, Jules Elting, Flora Bulcão, Isabelle Puntel, Chan Suan
- Genre Adventure, Drama
- Available on Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Vudu, Amazon Video, YouTube
Black Orpheus
(Orfeu Negro)
A retelling of the Greek legend of Orpheus and Eurydice that introduced Bossa Nova to the world.
- ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭
- Brazil, France, Italy • 1959
- Director Marcel Camus
- Cast Breno Mello, Marpessa Dawn, Marcel Camus, Fausto Guerzoni, Lourdes de Oliveira, Léa Garcia
- Genre Drama, Fantasy, Music, Romance
- Available on Criterion Channel, Max Amazon Channel, Max, Apple TV, Vudu, Amazon Video, Kanopy
Festival Favorites
Elena
Elena — who spent her childhood in Brazil fearing an authoritarian regime — moves to New York and pursues a lifelong dream shared with her mother: to be a movie actress.
- ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭
- Brazil, United States • 2013
- Director Petra Costa
- Cast Li An, Elena Andrade, Petra Costa
- Genre Documentary
- Available on Netflix, GuideDoc, OVID, Netflix basic with Ads, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Vudu, Amazon Video, YouTube, Pantaflix, VUDU Free, Kanopy
The Second Mother
(Que Horas Ela Volta?)
Unspoken class barriers within a home come crashing down when the live-in housekeeper's daughter suddenly appears.
- ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭
- Brazil • 2015
- Director Anna Muylaert
- Cast Regina Casé, Camila Márdila, Karine Teles, Lourenço Mutarelli, Michel Joelsas, Helena Albergaria
- Genre Drama
- Available on OVID, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Vudu, Amazon Video, YouTube, Kanopy, Plex,
Prayers for the Stolen
(Noche de fuego)
Three young girls come of age in a small and war-torn town in Mexico.
- ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭
- Mexico, Germany, Brazil • 2021
- Director Tatiana Huezo
- Cast Mayra Batalla, Norma Pablo, Olivia Lagunas, Teresa Sánchez, Guillermo Villegas
- Genre Drama
- Available on Netflix, Netflix basic with Ads
The Ornithologist
(O Ornitólogo)
A lone ornithologist is swept away by rapids while looking for black storks along a river, waking to an unfamiliar world.
- ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭
- Portugal, France, Brazil • 2016
- Director João Pedro Rodrigues
- Cast Paul Hamy, Xelo Cagiao, Jules Elting, Flora Bulcão, Isabelle Puntel, Chan Suan
- Genre Adventure, Drama
- Available on Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Vudu, Amazon Video, YouTube
Zama
An officer must find a way to escape from South America in this film based on the 1956 novel.
- ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭
- Argentina, Brazil, Spain • 2017
- Director Lucrecia Martel
- Cast Daniel Giménez Cacho, Lola Dueñas, Matheus Nachtergaele, Juan Minujín, Nahuel Cano, Mariana Nunes
- Genre Drama
- Available on Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Vudu, Amazon Video, YouTube, Kanopy
Invisible Life
(A Vida Invisível)
Two estranged sisters struggle to make lives for themselves despite the restrictive expectations of 1950s Brazil.
- ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭
- Brazil • 2019
- Director Karim Aïnouz
- Cast Carol Duarte, Julia Stockler, Fernanda Montenegro, Gregório Duvivier, Bárbara Santos, Flávia Gusmão
- Genre Drama
- Available on Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Freevee