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Memorable, crazy movie

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Don't Believe the Hype

Absolutely amazing

Brazilian films are not shown very frequently on television, probably because few North Americans speak Portuguese, and films with subtitles are often not the easiest to follow on the small screen. When I saw that Xica was scheduled to be shown by our cable company, I was very interested, firstly because I enjoy the visual appeal of period films which show the architecture and costumes of past times, secondly because the Director, Carlos Diegues, has had an active and successful career that now spans over 40 years and has made him very highly regarded outside Brazil, and finally because the story of how a Negro slave Xica da Silva was able not only to obtain her freedom but also to achieve both wealth and power in colonial eighteenth century Brazil is a very interesting one. The story of Xica was told in a book "Chica que Manda" by Agripa Vasconcelos and, since I first saw the original film, this story has become much better known through a long running Brazilian TV serial of the type known as a Telenovela (or Television Novel) based on the book. Unlike the original film this Brazilian soap opera has been dubbed in several languages and quite widely marketed, but the number of episodes created makes me feel that most of it probably has little relationship to the historical story as it is known. Those interested in Brazil during the colonial period would therefore probably do better to watch the now elusive videotape of this 1976 film, or urge the release of a dubbed version in DVD form. Brazilian society of the time barely recognised slaves (who were never allowed into churches, even if they eventually became so elderly that they were granted their freedom). It also featured strong colour prejudice, gave few rights to any women and encouraged beliefs in black magic and witchcraft to an extent which permitted great injustices to take place. These characteristics mean that the story of Xica's success, as shown in this film, was probably unique. It is not however fiction, although it has certainly become sufficiently legendary to have been embellished a little over the years. Carlos Diegues has himself described his film as " ...... a multicoloured butterfly resting on the white wall of a colonial church" and has intimated that it is partly based on legend and myth, but demonstrates the possibility of achieving freedom (in multiple senses) through love. He has also emphasised that much of it was deliberately intended as comedy. Over 8 million people saw the film in Brazil within six months of its release. Historically all we know is that Joao Fernandes had a contract to recover diamonds for the Portuguese government in the Brazilian State of Minas Gervais. When he got there he was seduced by a slave belonging to the town's Master Sergeant and was so captivated that he purchased her. Fernandes ran government mining operations from 1739 to 1773. By using local knowledge of the location of deposits, together with improved extraction techniques, he vastly increased production and became so rich that Lisbon eventually recognised he might become a threat and recalled him in 1773. During this period he freed Xica and built her a palatial residence where she lived in luxury although she was never recognised as part of the colonial society of the town, and also unwisely retaliated against many local people who had abused her as a slave. After Fernandes' recall she was not surprisingly driven from her palace and took refuge with Jose, the son of the town Sergeant, who by then had rebelled against the government and become an outlaw. Clearly as a black slave Xica would have had no education and no possessions - her attractiveness would have been purely sexual - history does not record what special powers she had in this regard but they were clearly not just transient. A film with this theme inevitably includes some sex and a great deal of nudity, those who would be offended by this should not watch it. However it is uniformly well acted, with Zeze Motta taking the title role and Walmor Chagas playing the part of Joao. It provides fascinating viewing. I have attempted to trace further information about both the period and Xica's story but this is not easy as contemporary records are all in Portuguese. However there was a very helpful article in the journal "JUMP CUT - A Review of Contemporary Media", written by Randal Johnson and published in issue #22, May 1980. This provides a great deal of valuable background material about both the film and the story, making it much easier to follow when watching it for the first time. (At the time of writing, this article can be found on the web through Google). My final opinion of this film (which is certainly coloured by my lack of knowledge of either the Portuguese language or its colonial culture) is that although it is far from great it provides a very interesting historical biography of a fascinating character, made by a competent director with an excellent cast. Anyone with an interest in either this culture or modern Brazilian cinema should take the opportunity to see the film if it arises. The distributors should also consider releasing it in DVD format, with dubbed sound tracks in several languages for international distribution, as there would probably be enough movie fans in the two categories above to make this a viable proposition. My comments were written primarily to recommend this, and I would certainly buy a copy. I do not re-watch my rather poor tape copy very often, but have done so enough to feel it is time I replaced it.

I found the movie somewhat entertaining, but at the same time there was nothing extraordinary about it. It seemed almost like a blaxploitation flick at times, with the arrogant white characters slamming her with the "n" word left and right and Xica rebelling against them in deviant ways. There are some funny moments, but as the film went on I felt more and more unpleasant. First of all, the Xica character, who appears naked through most of the film, is not an attractive woman and in some ways resembles a man with her short hair and nearly flat chest. And I definitely wouldn't be seduced by her in the ways the male characters in the movie were. Of course, there were certain moments that were tasteless to the highest power. In one scene, Xica takes the lamb that someone is about to eat and smothers it with hot pepper, a rotten egg and spits in it. At that point, I was about to run to the restroom and puke. And there were other moments that also left me with an unpleasant feeling. Altogether, I found the film watchable and the theme song is catchy, as I still can't get it out of my head. But it's by no means a great film. My score: 6 (out of 10)

"Xica da Silva" is the story of a true-life 18th century slave who uses her sexual wiles and cunning mind to become the richest and most powerful woman of her time in a diamond-mining town of Brazil. Xica's successful position is unheard of for a woman, much less a slave and she becomes a legend, especially among the slaves. When Xica sees João Fernandes (actor Walter Chagmor), the rich, influential and handsome emissary of the King of Portugal. She sets her sights on meeting the most potent man in the town. The man becomes enamored with her and she with him. To the townspeople's dismay, João sets Xica free, and then showers her with opulent gifts. He builds Xica a mansion complete with its own chapel because slaves, free or not, are forbidden from entering the town church; João orders luxurious items from Paris, Portugal and other fashionable places for Xica; he commissions a picture of the sea to be painted because she has always wanted to look at the sea; João even brings the ocean to Xica when he has a manmade lake constructed and a ship built for Xica's sole purpose. The actress who plays Xica (Zezé Motta) is superb! Motta's acting allows the viewer to see and understand how the slave is able to captivate any man. When Xica gets that special tingle, no man can resist her! She is colorful, vivacious and very dramatic -- a true diva! On a note of interest, the storyline has also been made into a 1996 Brazilian telenovela (soap opera), which has become popular in many other countries. Zezé Motta plays two roles in the telenovela -- that of Xica's mother and then an older Xica. You'll also enjoy the catchy theme song and sing it to yourself long after the movie is over. Directed by Carlos Diegues, a veteran filmmaker who is also responsible for other entertaining movies, "Xica da Silva" is witty and vibrant.What an amusing and captivating way to tell the story of one slave's rise to fame, fortune and power and her fight to retain that prestige.