Bacurau (2019) | agoodmovietowatch
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Bacurau 2019

A fantasy drama about a peculiar Brazilian town

Our Take (by Bilal Zouheir)

This incredibly creative and unique movie is set in a fictional small town in the Brazilian Backcountry. It has a realistic first half but things quickly get crazy.

Even in that realistic half, you can clearly tell that something is off about the town of Bacurau. An accident involving a truck carrying coffins turns into an impromptu coffin shop. A dam was built to divert water from people. The village doctor seems to be the least sane person in the village. It’s all wrong.

Bacurau is funny, it’s politically charged, it’s thrilling, and it’s sweet, all at once. It’s that one in a thousand weird movies that actually works, and will inevitably become a classic.

Notable Critics

"The light touches of science fiction evoke present-day depravities, and the vision of local unity offers a thrillingly imaginative playbook for resistance."

— Richard Brody

"A film that is deeply embedded within, and knowledgable of, Brazil's treacherous modern history."

— Biju Belinky

Synopsis

Bacurau, a small town in the Brazilian sertão, mourns the loss of its matriarch, Carmelita, who lived to be 94. Days later, its inhabitants notice that their community has vanished from most maps.

Awards

Cannes

1 win, 2 nominations

Won: Jury PrizeNominated: Palme d'OrNominated: Queer Palm

Spirit Awards

1 nomination

Nominated: Best International Film

NYFCC

1 nomination

Nominated: NYFCC Award

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About the author

Bilal Zouheir

Bilal Zouheir

Bilal Zouheir is the founder of A Good Movie to Watch. He is US-based and a member of the Nevada Film Critics Society. He grew up in Morocco, where he learned English from watching movies. Bilal's work with A Good Movie to Watch is focused on offering an alternative to streaming algorithms, which are often used as commercial tools by streaming services.