
Barren Lives(1963)
In vivid images, the documentary-like story of a drover and his family in the northern badlands of Brazil during the drought. A family in the search of new hope and destiny.


Zé is a very poor man whose most prized possession is his donkey. When his donkey falls terminally ill, Zé makes a promise to Saint Bárbara: If his donkey recovers, he will carry a cross - like Jesus - all the way from his city to Saint Bárbara's church, in the state capital. Upon the recovery of his donkey, Zé leaves on his journey. He makes it to the church, but the priest refuses to accept the cross once he discovers the context of Zé's promise.

Leonardo Villar
Zé do Burro

Glória Menezes
Rosa

Dionísio Azevedo
Padre Olavo

Geraldo del Rey
Bonitão

Roberto Ferreira
Dedé

Othon Bastos
Reporter

Antônio Pitanga
Mestre Coca
Gilberto Marques
Galego

Norma Bengell
Marli

Jurema Penna
Zealot
The Given Word is a drama film released in 1962. Directed by Anselmo Duarte, it stars Leonardo Villar, Glória Menezes, Dionísio Azevedo. Zé is a very poor man whose most prized possession is his donkey. When his donkey falls terminally ill, Zé makes a promise to Saint Bárbara: If his donkey recovers, he will carry a cross - like Jesus - all the way from his city to Saint Bárbara's church, in the state capital. Upon the recovery of his donkey, Zé leaves on his journey. He makes it to the church, but the priest refuses to accept the cross once he discovers the context of Zé's promise.
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In vivid images, the documentary-like story of a drover and his family in the northern badlands of Brazil during the drought. A family in the search of new hope and destiny.

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