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Cinema, Aspirins and Vultures

Directed by Marcelo Gomes
Brazil
2005
99 mins

Synopsis

A German sales representative for Bayer (Peter Ketnath) sells aspirins by travelling around the Pernambuco outback in 1942.

He also shows publicity films for his new customers in makeshift little open‑air cinemas and befriends a local man (João Miguel), language barriers and all. The stark film cinematography by Mauro Pinheiro enhances both the human interaction and the historical background (Germany was about to become an enemy of Brazil during the second world war). The film is as much about friendship as it is about the harsh light of the sertão region.

-Kleber Mendonça Filho, Curator

Tickets

Mon 8 June 2026, 3:15pm
Art Gallery of New South Wales
Assisted ListeningWheelchair
  • Program Strand
    The Tropical Trail
  • Original Title
    CINEMA, ASPIRINAS E URUBUS
  • Year
    2005
  • Classification
    Unclassified 15+
  • Country
    Brazil
  • Language
    In Portuguese with English subtitles
  • Director
    Marcelo Gomes
  • Producer
    Chico Ribeiro, Maria Ionescu, João Vieira Jr., Ofir Figueiredo
  • Cast
    João Miguel, Peter Ketnath, Hermila Guedes
  • Screenwriter
    Paulo Caladas, Karim Aïnouz, Marcelo Gomes
  • Cinematographer
    Mauro Pinheiro Jr.
  • Editor
    Karen Harley
  • Company Credits
    Production Company: Carnaval Filmes

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