User reviews

In the drought in the country of Northeast of Brazil, the migrant Severino moves to Recife following the Capibaribe River expecting to have a better life.

"Morte e Vida Severina" is a documentary based on two poems of João Cabral de Melo Neto: "O Rio" ("The River") and "Morte e Vida Severina" ("Life and Death Severina") that tells he never-ending cruel timeless fate of the migrants of the drought in the country of the Northeast of Brazil. This theme has been approached in many other movies, and I personally like 1963 "Vidas Secas" very much, but in "Morte e Vida Severina", the story is told through poetry and songs. The author makes an analogy between the animals and the river that flows to the sea with the migrants that also moves to the big city nearby the sea, and he remarks that only the rocks stay in the drought. Unfortunately the sound of this movie is not good, and it is very difficult to understand some parts due to the strong accent of the interviewed migrants. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "Morte e Vida Severina" ("Life and Death Severina")

Very innovative and strong film on harsh life in Northeastern Brazilian hinterland. It mixes documentary, with striking testimonies and good footage, and theater-like scenes, with a top-level casting and text from João Cabral de Melo Neto's poetry.