Barren Lives
Brief Synopsis
Cast & Crew
Nelson Pereira Dos Santos
Átila Iório
Maria Riberio
Jofre Soares
Orlando Macedo
Gilvan
Film Details
Technical Specs
Synopsis
In 1940, a severe drought in the sertao , the backland of sparse vegetation in northeastern Brazil, forces a poor family to abandon their home in the hope of finding a patch of soil that will support them. After the mother, Sinhá Vitória, has killed their pet parrot to feed her husband, Fabiano, and two small sons, the family comes to an abandoned, dilapidated shack that belongs to a cattle rancher. In return for being allowed to live in the hut, Fabiano agrees to care for the rancher's livestock. The family are virtual slaves of the rancher; the pittance gained from the year's work allows them no hope of amelioration in their lives. On the day of a festival, Fabiano takes his insignificant earnings, drinks in the village, and is lured into a card game by a cruel policeman. When a quarrel ensues and Fabiano is beaten up by soldiers and thrown into jail, he offers little resistance. The drought returns, decimating the rancher's cattle. Baleia, the family dog, formerly a valued member of the work force, sickens, and Fabiano shoots her. The cattle are moved away, and the family, left with no means of living, gather up their meager possessions and once more set out in search of a better place to live.
Director
Nelson Pereira Dos Santos
Cast
Átila Iório
Maria Riberio
Jofre Soares
Orlando Macedo
Gilvan
Genivaldo
Crew
Film Details
Technical Specs
Quotes
Trivia
Notes
Produced in Brazil in 1963 as Vidas sêcas; running time: 105 min(?).
Miscellaneous Notes
Released in United States Summer June 5, 1969
Released in United States 1994
Released in United States Summer June 5, 1969
Released in United States 1994 (Shown at AFI Film Festival (Tribute to Amreicas Film Festival - A Tribute to Nelson Pereira dos Santos) in Los Angeles June 23 - July 7, 1994.)
