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Genre/Form: | Documentaries and Factual Films Documentary films History Documentaires |
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Material Type: | Videorecording |
Document Type: | Visual material |
All Authors / Contributors: |
Chuck D; Leonard Abrams; Quilombo Films.; Moving Eye Productions. |
OCLC Number: | 71846475 |
Language Note: | English narration with interviews in Portuguese, subtitled in English. |
Notes: | "Institutional copy." |
Credits: | Written, directed, photographed, and edited by Leonard Abrams. |
Performer(s): | Narrator, Chuck D. |
Description: | 1 videodisc (73 min.) : sound, color with black and white sequences ; 4 3/4 in. |
Details: | DVD. |
Other Titles: | Afrobrazilian villages in the 21st century |
Responsibility: | a film by Leonard Abrams ; Quilombo Films. |
Abstract:
Reviews
Educational Media Reviews Online (1)
Quilombo Country

This 73 minute digitally filmed documentary is narrated by Chuck D (hip hop lyricist of Public Enemy). Daily life is explored as the audience views the construction of homes and the production of agricultural staples such as rice, manioc, and babassu coco. Portrayals of religious, social, and cultural ceremonies (such as the Feast of Santa Filomena, and Boi Bumba) are interspersed throughout the film. History of the Quilombos, land rights issues, and the racism that still exists are discussed. Racial identity is still a subject close to taboo in Brazil, with more than half the population having some African blood, but identifying as White or from other subcategories of race. Myths are looked at such as the legend of Saci-Perere, a one legged elf that lives in the forest and scares people from cutting down trees and killing the animals and Matita Pereira, a crazed unkempt woman who appears on Friday nights and scares the men. Musical instruments such as the Carimbo (drum) and the Cipriano Melo (guitar/banjo) are shown and played while (subtitled) songs during religious and cultural celebrations are sung. This film covers a broad and sizeable amount of information about the Quilombos and is quite lengthy. Additionally, the portrayal of the religious and cultural ceremonies were interesting and impressive but less time could have been spent on these aspects, and more time could have been spent on the socioeconomic, educational, and rural/urban realities and struggles of the people of the Quilombos.
Awards
- Best Film/Video Documentary, 2007 Black International Cinema Berlin Festival

