Behind the Sun (2001)
86%RT Audience Score: 87%
Awards & Nominations: NA
Behind the Sun is a film that is both a feast for the eyes and a test for the patience. While the cinematography is stunning and the performances are heartfelt, the slim plot and lack of character development leave much to be desired. Director Walter Salles attempts to tackle themes of blood feuds and violence, but ultimately falls short in delivering a cohesive and engaging story. The film is like a beautiful painting that lacks depth and substance, leaving the viewer wanting more. Overall, Behind the Sun is a missed opportunity to create a truly memorable cinematic experience.
Behind the Sun is a movie that’s like a box of chocolates – you never know what you’re going to get. Some critics loved it, calling it a “sumptuously filmed parable” and a “lovely journey.” Others, not so much. One critic even said that watching it without subtitles was better than watching it with them! But one thing everyone can agree on is that the cinematography is stunning. So if you’re in the mood for a beautiful, if somewhat confusing, family saga set in rural Brazil, give Behind the Sun a try. Just maybe turn off the subtitles.
Production Company(ies)
Jet Tone Production
Distributor
Miramax Films
Release Type
Filming Location(s)
MPAA / Certificate
Not Rated
Year of Release
2001
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Mono
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Aspect ratio:1.85 : 1
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Runtime:1h 45m
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Language(s):
-
Country of origin:United States
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Apr 19, 2002 Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 11, 2002
Genre(s)
Drama
Keyword(s)
starring José Dumont, Rodrigo Santoro, Rita Assemany, Ravi Ramos Lacerda, Flávia Marco Antônio, Othon Bastos, directed by Walter Salles, written by Karim Aïnouz, Ismail Kadaré, Sérgio Machado, Walter Salles, drama, PG-13, Miramax Films, Arthur Cohn, $64.2K box office, reviewed by Hank Sartin, Mark Caro, Geoff Pevere, Rick Groen, Neil Smith, Moira MacDonald, Emanuel Levy, Chris Barsanti, Jeffrey Westhoff, Dennis Schwartz, Ryan Cracknell, Chris Hewitt, Behind the Sun, cycles of violence, blood feud, land, young men, traveling circus, Brazil, Portuguese, 1h 45m, cinematography, revenge, hatred, ritual, family saga, Sergio Leone, sugar cane land, northern Brazil, Rodrigo Santoro’s performance, brotherly love, relationships, gypsy circus, corset, mafia, spoiler, long film, condensed, painful, delightful, depth, romanticism, beauty of expression, must-see
Worldwide gross: NA
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): NA
US/Canada gross: NA
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend:
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): NA
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): NA
Production budget ranking: NA
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
Rodrigo Santoro – Tonio
Rita Assemany – Mother
Ravi Ramos Lacerda – Pacu
Flávia Marco Antônio – Clara
Othon Bastos – Sr. Lourenço
Director(s)
Walter Salles
Writer(s)
Karim Aïnouz, Ismail Kadaré, Sérgio Machado, Walter Salles
Producer(s)
Arthur Cohn
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
NA
Academy Awards
All Critics (46) | Top Critics (21) | Fresh (34) | Rotten (12)
The appearance of circus performers in any film not by Fellini usually bodes ill, and it does so here.
April 1, 2010
Hank Sartin
Chicago Reader
TOP CRITIC
A bleak, beautiful cinematic fable driven by the brutal logic of blood feuds and transformed by an overpowering sense of wonder.
July 20, 2002 | Rating: 3.5/4
Mark Caro
Chicago Tribune
TOP CRITIC
Salles’ movie taps into matters that are at once ancient and mythical and, needless to say, headline-fresh.
May 3, 2002 | Rating: 3/5
Geoff Pevere
Toronto Star
TOP CRITIC
Salles starts with the loudly trumpeted theme, then tacks on a slim plot to justify the clamour.
May 3, 2002 | Rating: 2/4
Rick Groen
Globe and Mail
TOP CRITIC
Full of poetic imagery, dazzling photography and heartfelt performances from a mostly unknown cast.
April 22, 2002 | Rating: 4/5
Neil Smith
BBC.com
TOP CRITIC
A lovely journey, but it’s like a picture book whose text is merely incidental.
April 19, 2002 | Rating: 2.5/4
Moira MacDonald
Seattle Times
TOP CRITIC
July 3, 2005 | Rating: B-
Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com
a family saga told with all the muscle of the best Sergio Leone western.
November 12, 2003 | Rating: 3/5
Chris Barsanti
Film Threat
A sumptuously filmed parable on the futility of violence.
June 12, 2003 | Rating: 3/4
Jeffrey Westhoff
Northwest Herald (Crystal Lake, IL)
A family blood feud between neighbors over land in the rural sugarcane fields of the Brazil of 1910.
September 27, 2002 | Rating: C
Dennis Schwartz
Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews
Gets away with its shortfalls almost solely on the basis of its cinematography.
July 13, 2002 | Rating: 73/100
Ryan Cracknell
Apollo Guide
The first time I saw the Brazilian Behind the Sun, there were no subtitles, and I couldn’t understand a word. The second time, it had subtitles, and, to tell you the truth, the first time was better.
July 11, 2002 | Rating: 2/4
Chris Hewitt
St. Paul Pioneer Press…
Plot
“Behind the Sun” is a drama about two families locked in a deadly feud over land, which escalates into a series of reprisals that claim the lives of young men on both sides, until a beautiful young woman from a traveling circus crosses the path of one of the families.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
There is no goofy or funny or odd comment about the film Behind the Sun on Fresh Kernels.
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