Quilombo (1986)

Quilombo dos Palmares was a reallife democratic society created in Brazil in the 17th century This incredibly elaborate and surprisingly littleknown film traces the origins of Quilombo which began as a community of freed slaves The colony becomes a safe harbor for other outcasts of the world including Indians and Jews Ganga Zumba Toni Tornado becomes president of Quilombo the first freely elected leader in the Western Hemisphere Naturally the ruling Portuguese want to subjugate Zumba and his followers but the Quilombians are ready for their wouldbe oppressors The end of this Brave New World is not pleasant but the followers of Zumba and his ideals take to the hills where they honor his memory to this day Writerdirector Carlos Diegues takes every available opportunity to compare the rise and fall of Quilombo with the state of affairs in modernday Brazil