Bacurau 2020
Directed by
Juliano Dornelles
Made by
Kino Lorber
Plot Summary
In a dystopian future, the residents of Bacurau, a struggling rural community in the fictional Serra Verde of western Pernambuco, come together to mourn the loss of Carmelita, an esteemed elder regarded as the heart of their village. Her granddaughter, Teresa, returns home after years away not just for the funeral, but also to deliver essential medicine to her family. However, as the days unfold, Bacurau is thrust into a series of peculiar and unsettling occurrences. The village mysteriously vanishes from digital maps, mobile networks fail, and residents are alarmed by the sighting of a UFO-like drone. Adding to the intrigue, a pair of motorcyclists from southern Brazil stroll through town.
Amidst these strange happenings, a corrosive dispute brews over local water rights, exacerbated by the corrupt actions of the town’s mayor, Tony Junior, who seeks to manipulate the townsfolk ahead of an upcoming election. He arrives in Bacurau bearing spoiled food and tattered books, yet he leaves the community parched and distraught amidst a water crisis. The townspeople, not wanting to encounter him, take cover. Eventually, a water tanker arrives, but panic ensues when it’s discovered to be filled with bullets rather than the promised relief.
The tension escalates dramatically when a stampede of horses disrupts the town. In their desperation to uncover the cause, two local men venture to a nearby farm, only to find the family there brutally murdered. Their incidence of violence takes a dark turn when they are also killed, this time at the hands of the wandering motorcyclists. This couple soon aligns with a group of predominantly American foreigners led by Michael, a seasoned German expatriate with a lengthy history in the U.S. The group becomes embroiled in a perverse competition, believing they must rack up “points” by eliminating the residents of Bacurau.
As the foreigners ramp up their hunt, they become not just the hunters but also the hunted. Pacote, a former lover of Teresa, seeks out Lunga, a revolutionary who’s been sheltered by the locals. Together, they rally the townspeople to defend their lives against the brutal intruders. The situation reaches a tragic climax when a nine-year-old boy falls victim to the violence, as the locals gear up for retaliation.
What follows is a stunning reversal of fortune. As the morning dawns, the tables turn; the once-cocky foreigners find themselves outmatched and killed one by one. The only survivor, Michael, faces a fate worse than death as he is captured. In a final act of treachery, Tony Junior arrives in a luxury minibus to retrieve the foreigners but, upon witnessing the townspeople’s victory, pretends to be unaware of them. In a fitting twist of fate, the mayor is condemned to die disgracefully in the desert, while Michael is interred alive, screaming in despair, > “this is only the beginning.” This chilling ending serves as a haunting reminder of the fierce fight for survival and identity that Bacurau has endured.
Timeline
Carmelita's Funeral
The residents of Bacurau gather to mourn Carmelita, an esteemed elder who is considered the heart of their village. Her passing marks a significant loss for the community, bringing together family and friends, including her granddaughter Teresa, who has returned home after years away.
Teresa Delivers Medicine
In addition to attending the funeral, Teresa arrives in Bacurau to deliver essential medicine to her family. Her visit is overshadowed by an impending sense of unease as unsettling events begin to unfold in the village.
Mysterious Events Begin
As the residents mourn, they notice strange occurrences affecting their village. Bacurau mysteriously vanishes from digital maps, and mobile networks fail, increasing the anxiety among the townspeople, who feel increasingly isolated.
UFO-like Drone Sighting
The residents are alarmed by the sighting of a UFO-like drone hovering above the village. This event adds to the mounting paranoia in Bacurau, as locals wonder about the intentions behind this peculiar surveillance.
Mayor Tony Junior's Arrival
Tony Junior, the town's corrupt mayor, arrives in Bacurau with spoiled food and tattered books, pretending to offer aid. His arrival incites distrust among the townsfolk, who are wary of his motives as he exacerbates the ongoing water crisis.
Water Crisis Escalates
The townspeople are left parched as the mayor's promises of relief remain unfulfilled. When a water tanker finally arrives, panic ensues as the truck is revealed to be filled with bullets instead of water, devastating the already desperate residents.
Stampede of Horses
A stampede of horses disrupts the town, creating chaos and fear among the locals. In their quest for answers, two men venture to a nearby farm, only to discover that the family there has been brutally murdered.
Violence Escalates
The two local men, investigating the murders, meet a tragic fate at the hands of the wandering motorcyclists. This increase in violence plunges Bacurau deeper into despair as residents grapple with the dire situation.
Foreigners Arrive
A group of predominantly American foreigners, led by the seasoned German expatriate Michael, arrives in Bacurau. They engage in a perverse competition, aiming to rack up points by eliminating the village's residents.
Locals Prepare for Defense
With the threat of violence looming, former lover Pacote teams up with revolutionary Lunga to rally the townspeople. They prepare to defend their home against the brutal intruders as fear and anger mount within the community.
Tragic Death of a Local Boy
The violence peaks tragically when a nine-year-old boy is killed amidst the chaos. His death prompts the community to unite and prepare for retaliation against the hunters who have disrupted their lives.
Reversal of Fortune
As dawn breaks, the tables turn unexpectedly as the foreigners find themselves outmatched and begin to fall one by one. The locals, fueled by their desire to protect their home, gain the upper hand in this brutal struggle.
Michael's Capture
The final survivor, Michael, faces a grim fate as he is captured by the townspeople after his efforts to hunt them down fail. His realization of being outsmarted sends chills through him as he grapples with the consequences of his actions.
Tony Junior's Betrayal
In a shocking twist, Tony Junior arrives in a luxury minibus to reclaim the foreigners. However, upon witnessing the townspeople's victory, he pretends ignorance of their fate, revealing his true nature as a coward.
Final Justice
The story culminates in a fitting act of justice as Michael is buried alive, screaming in despair. Meanwhile, Tony Junior is left to face disgrace in the desert, symbolizing the community's triumph over oppression and a fierce fight for survival.
Characters
Carmelita
Carmelita serves as the heart of Bacurau, revered by the community. Her passing signifies not only a personal loss for her family but also the severing of a critical bond within the village. The reverberations of her absence push the townspeople closer together as they confront the challenges that arise.
Tony Junior
Tony Junior is depicted as a corrupt and manipulative mayor who prioritizes political gain over the welfare of Bacurau's residents. His arrival bearing spoiled goods marks him as an untrustworthy figure, further exacerbating tensions in the already desperate community. His actions spark a fierce rebellion against oppression.
Michael
Michael is a foreigner leading a group of Americans who view the residents of Bacurau as mere targets in their twisted competition. His character represents the outsider's perspective, and his fate reflects the consequences of underestimating the will and resilience of the local people.
Teresa
Teresa is the granddaughter of Carmelita, who returns to Bacurau after many years. Her motivations combine familial duty and the urgency to deliver medicine, highlighting the connection between past and present. She embodies the hope and determination of the younger generation amidst turmoil.
Lunga
Lunga is portrayed as a revolutionary figure who plays a pivotal role in rallying the townsfolk against their oppressors. His strength and wisdom enable him to unite the community in their fight for survival, making him a key ally in the resistance.
Setting
Time period
Dystopian Future
The movie takes place in a dystopian future where societal structures and norms have deteriorated. During this time, communities like Bacurau face the consequences of political manipulation and corruption, as well as upheaval caused by outside forces. Such a setting highlights the themes of survival, solidarity, and resistance against oppression.
Location
Bacurau, Serra Verde, Pernambuco
Bacurau is a fictional rural community set in the dystopian landscape of western Pernambuco, Brazil. Known for its tight-knit residents, the village becomes a focal point of conflict amid unusual occurrences and struggles for survival. Its landscape reflects the resilience and spirit of the community as they face both external threats and internal disputes.
Themes
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Survival
Survival is a central theme of 'Bacurau' as the townspeople band together to confront external dangers and defend their community. The film illustrates the lengths to which individuals will go to protect their loved ones and their home. This theme is accentuated by the brutality that unfolds, leading to a powerful narrative of resistance and solidarity.
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Corruption
'Bacurau' examines the theme of corruption through the actions of Tony Junior, the local mayor. His manipulative tactics and neglect of the community's needs reveal the exploitation faced by rural populations. This theme connects closely with the power dynamics at play as the residents navigate their desperate circumstances.
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Identity
The struggle for identity in 'Bacurau' is explored through the villagers' determination to assert themselves against external forces that threaten their way of life. As they face the invaders, the community's collective identity is both tested and reinforced, highlighting their cultural legacy and the fight to preserve it.
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