Brazil, 18th century. The colony of Portugal endures a decline in gold production. A Portuguese minority rules over a corrupt and autocratic society. Joaquim is an efficient soldier, famous for capturing gold smugglers. While waiting for his promotion to Lieutenant, he leaves for a risky mission in search of new gold mines - the only way to buy the freedom of Blackie, a slave he is in love with. Inspired by the true story of Tiradentes, the first leader of the Brazilian revolutionary movement.
Cinematography
Golden hour that actually feels like a fever.
Acting
Machado's simmering restraint before the inevitable boil.
Direction
Gomes makes colonial Brazil feel claustrophobic and endless.
Director
Marcelo Gomes
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Director Marcelo Gomes discovered the real Tiradentes had no verified visual record, so they invented his appearance from scratch — including the scar that becomes a visual motif.
The film deliberately released during Brazil's 2016-2017 political crisis, drawing explicit parallels between colonial extraction and contemporary corruption — audiences reportedly walked out arguing about which century they were watching.
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