Overview

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.

Top Cast

Tony Tornado

Ganga Zumba

Antônio Pompêo

Zumbi

Zezé Motta

Dandara

Maurício do Valle

Domingos Jorge Velho

Grande Otelo

Babá

Zózimo Bulbul

Stone Man

Milton Gonçalves

Daniel Filho

Fernão Carrilho

Vera Fischer

Ana de Ferro

Carlos Kroeber

Tourinho

Antônio Pitanga

Acaiuba

Ruy Polanah

Navarro