Pátio

The first short film directed by Glauber Rocha is a weird experimental one, in which a couple (Helena Ignez and Solon Barreto) interacts in a playground with ocean view, mostly lying on the chess-pattern floor, doing odd things and saying incomprehensible words. The frames explore the graphism of the chess pattern and there is a dissonant music by Pierre Henry and Pierre Shaeffer. They stand up and, before they climb the stairs, he piss on a plant.

Mr. Rocha very first film is an experimental film that in the humble opinion of this reviewer puts to shame many similar "quitessential" classics directed by Robbe-Grille, Resnais and Chris Marker. Far more engaging and coherent than the French masters artsy works, "Patio" revolves around a couple's incapability to reach one another, physically and mentally. The imagery created is of a man and a woman lying on this patio, a chess floor surrounded by plants and on the horizon nothing but the ocean, a menacing storm coming from time to time and some walls. No dialogs, just some undistinguished voices heard from a radio and strange noises whenever something bizarre is about to happen. Note: it's just my interpretation of things, it could be a couple having a hangover and waking up to the nightmare of the reality in which they live.

What can I say? It's different, unlike anything ever created in the Brazilian cinema ever since the surrealist classic "Limite" (1931). And it's one of the earliest exercises Glauber Rocha did, already showing talent and creativity behind camera, a real genius. I've felt this a compelling, provoking experience, truly artistic and one that never wears you out or makes you feel empty. Bear in mind, we have few of this kind of proposition and this short film contributes a lot in the rank. 9/10