Baile Perfumado (1996)

English title: Perfumed Ball

In 1930s Northeastern Brazil, a photographer and filmmaker gains access to the gang of famous bandit Lampião (nickname which translates to 'Lantern'), and has permission to film the daily life of that outlaw group of cangaceiros (that is the name they gave to bandits operating in the Northeastern hinterlands of Brazil in the early 20th century).

As the synopsis above indicates, there isn't much in the way of a plot in this film. The adventures and misadventures of the protagonist alternate with some episodes of cangaço, and that's it. It is badly filmed, badly scored, and badly put together. Furthermore, it's a film that can't make up its mind whether it's about the plight of an immigrant who tries to make it in a strange land, or about the tragic life and death of outlaw desperadoes. The cinematography and production design, on the other hand, are first rate.

Rating: 24