Quilombo

1984 2h 0m PT

👍

6.9

SOLID

★6.9TMDB · 15

HistoryDrama

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

Quilombo dos Palmares was a real-life democratic society, created in Brazil in the 17th century. This incredibly elaborate (and surprisingly little-known) film traces the origins of Quilombo, which began as a community of freed slaves. The colony becomes a safe harbor for other outcasts of the world, including Indians and Jews. Ganga Zumba (Toni Tornado) becomes president of Quilombo, the first freely elected leader in the Western Hemisphere. Naturally, the ruling Portuguese want to subjugate Zumba and his followers, but the Quilombians are ready for their would-be oppressors. The end of this Brave New World is not pleasant, but the followers of Zumba and his ideals take to the hills, where they honor his memory to this day. Writer/director Carlos Diegues takes every available opportunity to compare the rise and fall of Quilombo with the state of affairs in modern-day Brazil.

“Some stories are better left unspoiled.”

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Cast

Tony Tornado
Ganga Zumba
Antônio Pompêo
Zumbi
Zezé Motta
Dandara
Maurício do Valle
Domingos Jorge Velho
Grande Otelo
Babá
Zózimo Bulbul
Stone Man
Milton Gonçalves
Daniel Filho
Fernão Carrilho

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Carlos Diegues
Writers: Carlos Diegues
Languages: Portuguese
Countries: France, Brazil

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 8

ERA

Did you know

42 years old — old enough to be someone's favourite childhood film.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

WORLD

Did you know

International production across 2 countries: France, Brazil.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Carlos Diegues, shot by Lauro Escorel. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by Waly Salomão. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Mair Tavares shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

CAST

Did you know

Tony Tornado and Antônio Pompêo and Zezé Motta carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

WILD

Did you know

IMDB entry: tt0091816 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

WILD

Did you know

Only 15 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Carlos Diegues directs. Lauro Escorel behind the camera. Waly Salomão scores. Mair Tavares cuts. Produced in France, Brazil. Dialogue in Portuguese.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

142 years old — old enough to be someone's favourite childhood film.
2International production across 2 countries: France, Brazil.
3Directed by Carlos Diegues, shot by Lauro Escorel. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
4Original score by Waly Salomão. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
5Editor Mair Tavares shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
6Tony Tornado and Antônio Pompêo and Zezé Motta carry the top of the cast.
7IMDB entry: tt0091816 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
8Only 15 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.