Vazante (film)

Vazante is a 2017 Brazilian historical drama film directed by Daniela Thomas. The film explores the harsh realities of 19th-century colonial Brazil, focusing on themes of slavery, patriarchy, and social inequality.

The story centers on Antônio, a wealthy Portuguese cattle rancher and slave owner in the remote diamond mining region of Minas Gerais. After his wife dies in childbirth, Antônio travels to procure another wife. Upon his return, he brings back his young cousin, Beatriz, to be his new bride. Beatriz struggles to adapt to her new life, marked by isolation, the oppressive atmosphere of the plantation, and the complicated relationships with the enslaved people and other members of the household.

Vazante is shot in black and white, which contributes to the film's somber and austere tone, emphasizing the bleakness and moral ambiguity of the historical period. The film aims to portray the complex power dynamics and the dehumanizing effects of slavery on both the enslaved and the enslavers. It received critical acclaim for its cinematography, performances, and its unflinching depiction of Brazilian colonial history.