Vilmar Paiva

The carnival is coming soon. We witness the ritual of “cleaning the meat” performed by the “gauchos” who unfold their knives. The bucolic landscape mixes with the city streets. Slowly, everything fills with colour, feathers and semi-naked men. Face masks begin to cover the faces and alcohol disinhibit the bodies.

Berger approaches Carnival with painterly precision and vitality, yet the focus is not on the parade itself but on the preparations - the anticipation, the hours leading up to the event where bodies let loose and transform. The film turns the eve into a source of mystery and visual delight.

A man awaits his execution by firing squad. His final wish before dying can only be granted by those standing before him: male soldiers.