Saint Bernard

São Bernardo

A stark masterpiece of ambition, patriarchy and psychological control.

  • Director

    Leon Hirszman

  • With

    Othon Bastos, Isabel Ribeiro, Nildo Parente

  • Brazil 1972. 114min

  • Digital

  • English subtitles

A self-made landowner recounts his rise and the emotional destruction left in his wake. Austere but compelling, Hirszman’s adaptation of Graciliano Ramos’ novel dissects patriarchy, labour and possession with rigor, while Bastos’ monumental performance anchors the film’s stark study of power and the psychological cost of ‘success’.

The screening of Saint Bernard on Tuesday 2 June will be introduced by season co-curator Adriana Rouanet.