Desmundo


Desmundo is a 2002 Brazilian drama film by Alain Fresnot, based on the novel of the same name by Ana Miranda. The film is set in 1570, a period when orphan Portuguese girls were sent to marry the settlers' sons. This was done to prevent the Portuguese from having sons with the indigenous peoples and black people in order to keep the Christian marriage and a "pure" heritage. The film follows Oribela as she is sent from Portugal to Brazil to marry Francisco de Albuquerque.

Cast

In order to be more faithful to the period Desmundo is set, Fresnot—beyond of using clothing, furniture and costumes—decided that the characters would speak in archaic Portuguese. He said it was a "very hard decision", but felt it would seem shallow to use colloquial language in a historical film. Thus, the film has subtitles in contemporary Portuguese. Its filming took place in Ubatuba, São Paulo.

Reception

At the 35th Festival de Brasília, Desmundo won Best Score and Best Supporting Actress. It won Best Art Direction, Best Costume Design and Best Make Up at the Grande Prêmio do Cinema Brasileiro.