Barren Lives

+ intro by Dr Tiago de Luca, University of Warwick

Vidas Secas

A landmark Cinema Novo classic of drought, migration and human resilience.

  • Director

    Nelson Pereira dos Santos

  • With

    Átila Iório, Maria Ribeiro

  • Brazil 1963. 100min

  • Digital 4K

  • English subtitles

A migrant family and their dog cross the drought-stricken arid Sertão region in a desperate bid to survive. Pereira dos Santos adapts Graciliano Ramos’ acclaimed 1938 novel, one of Brazil’s key literary works, employing stark landscapes and non-professional performances to stunning effect. It is regarded as a foundational Cinema Novo work – a devastating yet deeply humane portrait of poverty, endurance and cyclical displacement.

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