Quilombo dos Palmares was a real-life democratic society, created in Brazil in the 17th century. This incredibly elaborate (and surprisingly little-known) film traces the origins of Quilombo, which began as a community of freed slaves. The colony becomes a safe harbor for other outcasts of the world, including Indians and Jews. Ganga Zumba (Toni Tornado) becomes president of Quilombo, the first freely elected leader in the Western Hemisphere. Naturally, the ruling Portuguese want to subjugate Zumba and his followers, but the Quilombians are ready for their would-be oppressors. The end of this Brave New World is not pleasant, but the followers of Zumba and his ideals take to the hills, where they honor his memory to this day. Writer/director Carlos Diegues takes every available opportunity to compare the rise and fall of Quilombo with the state of affairs in modern-day Brazil.
Directing | Carlos Diegues | Director |
Writing | Carlos Diegues | Writer |
Editing | Mair Tavares | Editor |
Production | René Bittencourt | Production Manager |
Production | Augusto Arraes | Producer |
Production | Carlos Diegues | Producer |
Production | Rodolfo Brandão | Production Manager |
Writing | João Felício dos Santos | Novel |
Sound | Gilberto Gil | Original Music Composer |
Directing | Jorge Durán | Assistant Director |
Sound | Waly Salomão | Original Music Composer |
Costume & Make-Up | Carlos Prieto | Makeup Artist |
Costume & Make-Up | Luiz Carlos Ripper | Costume Design |
Production | Bruno Wainer | Casting |
Production | Marco Altberg | Executive Producer |
Camera | Lauro Escorel | Director of Photography |
Art | Luiz Carlos Ripper | Art Direction |
Production | César Cavalcanti | Production Manager |
Directing | Nelson Nadotti | Assistant Director |
Directing | Antônio Pitanga | Assistant Director |
Crew | Lelia Gonzales | Creative Consultant |
Production | Everardo Rocha | Researcher |
Crew | Roberto da Matta | Creative Consultant |
Camera | Pedro Farkas | Camera Operator |