Name: Cleo e Daniel
Director: Roberto Freire
Genre: Drama
Released: 1970-05-26
Duration: 98 min
Rating: 4.2
Cast: John Herbert, Irene Stefânia, Sônia Braga, Haroldo Costa, Lélia Abramo

Brazil's most forgotten 1970 fever dream of doomed romance finally resurfaces.

melodramaticsweatyyearning

Overview

Drama

A young and sensitive couple's impossible love affair.

BR Portuguese

Content warning

class barriersyouthful idealismparental interferencepassion versus reality

Standout Aspects

Acting

Sônia Braga's early screen presence steals every frame she's in.

Cinematography

Searing Brazilian sunlight becomes a character of its own.

Best for:Solo·Rewatch

Heads up:Emotional

Director

Roberto Freire

ReleasedMay 26, 1970

Runtime1h 38m

StatusReleased

Vibe

Paceslow

Intensityhigh

Tonedark

Feelheavy

Top Cast

John Herbert

Rudolf Fluegel

Irene Stefânia

Cléo

Sônia Braga

Sandra

Haroldo Costa

Benjamin

Lélia Abramo

Daniel's Mother

Beatriz Segall

Cléo's Mother

Zezé Motta

Arnaldo Weiss

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Deep Dive

Trivia, insights & behind the scenes

Trivia

This was Sônia Braga's second film role, years before she became Brazil's international superstar. Director Freire later became better known for his work in pornochanchada comedies, making this earnest drama a fascinating outlier.

Cultural

Made during Brazil's military dictatorship, the film's portrayal of defiant youth romance carried subtle political resonance that censors somehow missed. The 3.5 TMDB rating reflects obscurity, not quality—barely anyone's seen it.