Behind the Sun (film)

Behind the Sun (Portuguese: Abril Despedaçado, meaning Shattered April) is a 2001 Brazilian-French-Swiss drama film directed by Walter Salles, starring Rodrigo Santoro and José Dumont. It is based on the 1979 novel Broken April by Albanian writer Ismail Kadare, but is set in the sertão (backlands) of Bahia, Brazil, rather than Albania.

The film tells the story of two rival families locked in a cycle of blood feuds rooted in honor killings. A young man named Tonho (Santoro) is forced by his family to avenge his older brother's death. After fulfilling the honor killing, he must wait for his own inevitable death at the hands of the opposing family. During this time, he encounters a traveling circus and becomes fascinated by a young woman, Clara, offering a glimmer of hope and a potential escape from the ingrained violence of his environment. The film explores themes of tradition, honor, fate, and the possibility of breaking free from destructive cycles. It received critical acclaim for its cinematography, performances, and its portrayal of a little-known aspect of Brazilian culture.