Gal Costa: Programa Ensaio

Where Are You, João Gilberto?

May 2018 •German

Where are you, João Gilberto? sets out in the footsteps of German writer Marc Fischer who obsessively searched for the legendary founding father of Bossa Nova and last great musical legend of our time, Brazilian musician João Gilberto, who has not been seen in public for decades. Fischer described his journey in a book, Hobalala, but committed suicide one week before it was published. By taking up Marc Fischer's quest, following his steps one by one, thanks to all the clues he left us, we pursue João Gilberto to understand the history, the very soul and essence of Bossa Nova. But who can tell whether we will meet him or not?

Filhos de João, O Admirável Mundo Novo Baiano

July 2011 •Portuguese

A panorama of Brazilian popular music from the 60s and 70s through the musical group Novos Baianos. A retrospective of the community lifestyle adopted by its members and the influence inherited from singer João Gilberto.

Gal Costa: Recanto – Ao Vivo

March 2013 •Portuguese

Two Sons of Francisco

August 2005 •Portuguese

The story of Francisco, a very simple and poor man whose dream was to see his children become country music stars, and who made all the efforts to make it happen.

Favela on Blast

January 2008 •English

For 20 years, a subculture has emerged in Brazil under society's radar. It is the culture surrounding 'funk carioca', a musical rhythm which mixes the American electronic funk of the 1980s with the most diverse influences of Brazilian music. 'Baile funk' is one of the most interesting musical movements in the world, but it comes from what is at times one of the most violent and poorest places in the world: the slums of Rio de Janeiro (favelas). This music is the personalization of the raw element. Bombastic rhythms coming from the American Miami Bass and samples are fused with powerful rap vocals using Brazilian slang. This documentary tells stories of sex, love, poverty, and pride among Rio's marginalized people. They have their own language, style, and heroes. It's a film that's fast, heavy, and violent like the city itself.

Feminino e Barulho

October 2023 •Portuguese

The cinema of Pernambuco is considered one of the most complex components of Brazilian cinema, particularly for its potency and creative style. The presence of women in filmmaking seldom holds the same historical notoriety as that of men, and the Pernambuco scene is no exception. In the context of "Amor, Plástico e Barulho" (Love, Plastic, and Noise), we find a film that serves as a testament to the marginalization of women in the creative industry, intertwining themes of consumption and the production of brega music. Hence, we use "Feminino e Barulho" (Feminine and Noise) as a means to share what we've learned. Renata Pinheiro has inspired us to craft a narrative that gives voice to those who need to be heard. We are here to showcase a glimpse of them and what they represent. "Feminino e Barulho" is a short film about love, femininity, sisterhood, and empowerment.

Nothing Like Before – The Music of Clube da Esquina

March 2024 •Portuguese

Nothing Like Before delves into the creation of the Clube da Esquina Album (Brazil, 1972). Considered by many music critics one of the best albums of all time, it presented to the world musicians like Milton Nascimento, Lô Borges, Toninho Horta, Beto Guedes and Wagner Tiso.

Em Busca do Tesouro

January 1967 •Portuguese

Jerry is a tutor at an orphanage. On the first day of vacation, the boys go to the beach with Professor Teobaldo and find a skeleton and a treasure map. Word spreads and a rush for gold begins. On the one hand, Jerry and Neyde, television colleagues; on the other, the director of the station, Indalécio, and his lover Aphrodite; finally, the evil Rock Trombada, in the company of scientist Bertini and Daniel. On Treasure Island, the three camps promote mutual sabotage. After many confusions, Trombada flees with the treasure to the ship's cemetery but they are surrounded by the boys and Indalécio. It's the final war. But it is Jerry who will take the wealth in order to improve the situation at the orphanage.

The History of Eternity

July 2014 •Portuguese

In a small village in the hinterland, three stories of love and desire are changing the emotional landscape of its residents. Characters of a romanesque world in which their conceptions of life are limited on one side by human instincts, on the other by a blind and fatalist fate.

Maria: Ninguém Sabe Quem Sou Eu

September 2022 •Portuguese

The film is an unprecedented and exclusive testimonial of Maria Bethânia from director and screenwriter Carlos Jardim, interspersed with rare footage of rehearsals and concerts by the singer throughout her 57-year career. Actress Fernanda Montenegro narrates five texts by authors such as Ferreira Gullar and Caio Fernando Abreu about Bethânia's importance on the Brazilian cultural scene.

Cassiane - 25 Anos Com Muito Louvor

November 2005 •Portuguese

Mandinga

November 2022 •Portuguese

Benedito wakes up for another day of work as a motorcycle courier. Cradled by Raidol's Mandinga and guided by his Orishas, he receives mysterious deliveries to leave them at a final destination but the paths that open up go far beyond his everyday reality.

Gal Costa: Estratosférica – Ao Vivo

November 2017 •Portuguese

"Estratosférica ao Vivo" is not just the record of a Gal Costa show. It is the portrait of the artist reaching the 70 years of life, 50 of them dedicated to music. The show "Estratosférica" ​​crowns the new artistic phase of Gal, more and more interested in connecting several tips of the history of the music of Brazil, joining the composers of its generation to names of the new national scene. The script, created by Marcus Black, was very good at this idea. Sewing songs by Caetano Veloso, Tom Zé, Luiz Melodia, Jards Macalé and Waly Salomão, Carlos Pinto and Torquato Neto, Roberto and Erasmo Carlos - a series of tropicalist and post-tropicalist works that until now serve as reference and feed the new generations of music.

Uma Nova Paixão

Invalid date •Portuguese

Homem com H

May 2025 •Portuguese

Homem com H moves between the different phases of singer Ney Matogrosso's career, going through his childhood, adolescence, adulthood and maturity. The film is a journey through time and follows a boy from humble origins who is passionate about nature, who frees himself from oppression and authority figures, breaks prejudices, and becomes one of the most influential artists of his generation.

Raiz e Alma

December 2023 •Portuguese

Irmão Lázaro - Testemunho e Louvor

January 2008 •Portuguese

Samuel Mariano - Antes, Durante e Depois do Culto

May 2017 •Portuguese

New work by singer Samuel Mariano, recorded live at the PE 60 Convention Center - Cabo de Santo Agostinho - PE.

Comitiva Esperança

Invalid date •Portuguese

Lobão – Decadence Avec Elegance

July 2011 •Portuguese

"Lobão - Não Há Estilo Sem Fracasso" investigates the artistic career of Lobão, one of the most famous musicians of brazilian rock in the 80s. From some interviews with people such as Edgard Scandurra, Liminha and Marcelo Sussekind, this short movie shows various points of view about music industry and it presents hits of Lobão such as "Das Tripas Coração" and "Mal de Amor".