10 Must-See Films On the Afro-Brazilian Experience

‘Quilombo’ (1984)

All over the Western Hemisphere, small bands of runaway slaves managed to establish separate communities from the plantation-society of the European colonies. In Brazil, these communities were located in the hills and were called “quilombos.” This film — the other true story on this list and also the second to feature Zezé Motta — tells the story of the quilombo called “Palmares.”

The Afro-Brazilians who lived there fought a fierce resistance against the Portuguese colonialists and slave owners for more than a century. At its peak, two men rose to fame for their fighting spirit: Ganga Zumba, a prince who had been captured in the vicinity of the Congo, and his successor who was called “Zumbi.”

In addition to retelling the history of Palmares, “Quilombo” weaves in the early continuation of Yoruba-derived spiritual practices and features the music of renowned Brazilian musician Gilberto Gil.