Xica (1978)

Zeze Motta, Walmor Chagas, Jose Wilker, Marcus Vinicius, Altair Lima

Director: Carlos Diegues

country: Brazilian film with subtitles

This is a great picture that lets us gain insight into the problems of slavery in Brazil.  Brazil has a lot in common with the United States. Both nations had a long history of slavery and this influenced the structures of both nations as well as their values.

The Brazilians like to pretend they are racially tolerant, but this is mostly a pretend game. One difference between the racism of the US and the racism of Brazil is that the US only recognizes a distinction between black and white, whereas Brazil recognizes lots of different racial groups based on a gradient of skin color from darkest black to white.  But, let it not be forgotten, that although there is less of the obvious racism in Brazil compared to the US, blacks in Brazil are still on the bottom of the social and economic scales.  

This is reflected in this true story of a slave girl named Xica who by her sexual flirtation manipulates the sexual desires of her masters so that she gets what she wants.  The new superintendent of mines for the "state" of Minas Gerais (means General Mines in Portuguese) becomes absolutely captivated by Xica's sexual aura and has to have her even though both of her masters (a father and son pair) do not want to let her go because they enjoy having sex with her so much.  

The superintendent of mines becomes the richest man in the area, but trying to keep his money-hungry mistress Xica in the style she desires brings him near bankruptcy.  One can see the racism bubbling up in the town populace as their jealousy and resentment toward Xica grows more and more.  The superintendent is headed for trouble and you get to watch what happens.

 

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