Foreign Land (Portuguese: Terra Estrangeira) is a 1995 Brazilian action film directed by Walter Salles and Daniela Thomas.[1]

Foreign Land
DVD cover
Directed byWalter Salles
Daniela Thomas
Written byMarcos Bernstein
Millor Fernandes
Walter Salles
Daniela Thomas
StarringAlberto Alexandre
CinematographyWalter Carvalho
Edited byFelipe Lacerda
Walter Salles
Release date
  • 1995 (1995)
Running time
100 minutes
CountryBrazil
LanguagePortuguese

In 2015, the Brazilian Film Critics Association aka Abraccine voted Foreign Land the 47th greatest Brazilian film of all time, in its list of the 100 best Brazilian films.[2]

Synopsis

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The film deals with the loneliness experienced by immigrants. It tells the story of Paco (Fernando Alves Pinto), who wants to get to know his mother's land. After her death, and with no money after the confiscation promoted by Collor, Paco accepts to deliver a mysterious package, on request of the also mysterious Igor (Luís Mello), in Portugal, in exchange for the cost of the trip. After losing the package, he meets up with Alex (Fernanda Torres), a Brazilian who works as a waitress in Portugal and lives with Miguel (Alexandre Borges), a musician-turned-heroin addict. Fleeing to Spain, Paco is pursued by bandits interested in the package.

Cast

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Review

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Foreign Land (Terra Estrangeira), directed by Walter Salles and Daniela Thomas, is a story of fate, one of the foreign lands of the title. It’s a compelling tale accompanied by some great cinematography by Walter Carvalho and a fine choice of suitably melancholic fado tunes by José Miguel Wisnik. It is also something of a homage in a wider sense to the movement of people and the idea and importance of belonging... Foreign Land has some great scenes, beautiful imagery and fine performances (especially from Melo) and all in all it’s well worth rediscovering this early gem from one of Brazil’s most-in-demand directors, Walter Salles.

—Sounds and Colours[3]

Reception

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Foreign Land has the rank of two out of five stars on AllMovie.[4]

References

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  1. ^ Van Gelder, Lawrence (2011). "New York Times: Foreign Land". Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times. Baseline & All Movie Guide. Archived from the original on 20 May 2011. Retrieved 21 July 2008.
  2. ^ "Abraccine organiza ranking dos 100 melhores filmes brasileiros". Abraccine - Associação Brasileira de Críticos de Cinema (in Portuguese). 27 November 2015. Retrieved 10 August 2024.
  3. ^ Hart, Ed (26 July 2013). "FOREIGN LAND". soundsandcolours.com. Retrieved 7 September 2015.
  4. ^ Brennan, Sandra. "FOREIGN LAND". allmovie.com. Retrieved 7 September 2015.
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