Black God, White Devil (original title: Deus e o Diabo na Terra do Sol) is a 1964 Brazilian film directed by Glauber Rocha. It is set in the arid hinterlands of Brazil during the 1940s and follows the tumultuous journey of a ranch hand named Manoel and his wife, Rosa.
Plot Summary
The story begins with Manoel, who becomes disillusioned after killing his corrupt boss in a fit of rage. Fleeing with Rosa, they seek refuge in Monte Santo, where they encounter Sebastião, a self-proclaimed holy man known as the “Black God.” Sebastião leads a religious cult that preaches rebellion against wealthy landowners but also engages in violent acts against innocents.
As the couple gets drawn into Sebastião’s fervent following, they are caught in a cycle of violence and fanaticism. When Rosa ultimately kills Sebastião to escape his oppressive control, she and Manoel find themselves on the run again. They join forces with Corisco, the “White Devil,” who leads a gang of bandits seeking revenge against the elites.
Throughout their journey, Manoel and Rosa grapple with themes of faith, revolution, and survival as they navigate through betrayal and bloodshed. The film culminates in a confrontation with Antonio das Mortes, a bounty hunter hired to eliminate both Sebastião’s followers and Corisco’s gang. In this brutal world where both divine and demonic forces seem to conspire against them, Manoel and Rosa are left to confront their own humanity amidst chaos.
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