Brava Gente Brasileira

Finally, a South American Western showing the cruel realities of how its West was won. In this case, the film highlights how the Portuguese pushed further west into erstwhile Spanish lands to expand Brazil beyond the Line of Demarcation between Spanish and Portuguese America established by the Pope. The action takes place at the close of the 18th Century. Portuguese nobles, Brazilian-born Creoles (including the New Christians (Converted Jews sent to Brazil to populate the colony), and the Catholic clergy conspired to virtually wipe out Indian tribes, while "Westernizing" the landscape. It's an interesting history lesson, and an entertaining film. It features beautiful landscapes, and a supporting cast composed of many of the surviving "Indians" from the area. Unusual and worth a look.