Men and Women

Noite Vazia

Brazil

1964

93 Min

Black and White

1.66:1

Portuguese

Currently 4.5/5 Stars.
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PROD Nelson Gaspari, Walter Hugo Khouri

CAST Norma Bengell, Odete Lara, Mário Benvenutti, Gabriele Tinti, Lisa Negri, Marisa Woodward, Anita Kennedy, Ricardo Rivas, Célia Watanabe, Wilfred Khouri, Júlia Kovach, Darcy Cardoso, Laura Maria

SOUND Ernest Hack, Raul Nanni, Miguel Sagatio, Antônio Vitale

Cannes (In Competition)

Synopsis

A wealthy young man and a poor street lad cruise the streets of São Paulo looking for prostitutes in this erotic drama. Luis (Mario Benvenuti) and Nelson (Gabrielle Tinti) take Mara (Norma Bengeli) and Regina (Odete Lara) back to a luxury apartment. They watch X-rated films, have sex, and try to talk the women into a lesbian liaison. Regina is the hard-as-nails hooker who has long ago suspended any feelings, but the younger Mara still enjoys her encounter with the man and remains hopeful that someday she will find true love. Both men are left as emotionally empty as when they started their search for sex. —Dan Pavlides

Director

Walter Hugo Khouri

Walter Hugo Khouri (21 October 1929, São Paulo — 27 June 2003, São Paulo) was a Brazilian film director.

He made 25 motion pictures, many of which showed characters in search for a meaning to their agonizing existence. Khouri won many prizes both in his home country and internationally.

His œuvre, highly influenced by filmmakers such as Ingmar Bergman and Michelangelo Antonioni, jazz, writers like D. H. Lawrence and Albert Camus and philosophers like Spinoza, is very personal and homogeneous.

His most important movie, Noite Vazia (aka Men and Women), made in 1964, was about four characters, two men and two prostitutes, in conflict with their lives, having as background the rising metropolis of São Paulo from the 1960’s. It consecrated him for the stunning cinematography and excellent acting. —wikipedia

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David Grillo

22Apr13

What was once complicated is now simple, this is the difference between New-Wave and Novo. Such an uncanny spiritual experience this film is, never leave out uncertainty in your life. Either you find it or it will find you.

adrianmendizabal

11Jul11

One of the best films I've ever watched in my entire life. Period. It approximates the strangeness of L'Eclisse but the visual unity it there. Very beautiful images. Antonioni should watch this! :)

Falderal likes this

Falderal

25Feb12

What astounded me was the obvious connection to Antonioni and Resnais, but that Khouri didn't philosophize the way those two do. He didn't make the world in the film larger than what was shown on screen. It almost makes it more agonizing because the characters are not able to find solace in the 'existential dread' ever present. More that life is a diminishing hole sucking one into its abyss.
Bitė

20Dec12

kudos for the comment, F ^

zondabez

25Apr11

Muitos chamaram Khouri de 'sub-antonioni' ou sub-qualquer outro autor europeu do 'cinema do espírito'. Injusto: "Noite vazia" mescla vazio e dúvidas existenciais, uma fotografia afinada com mulheres bonitas e ainda diálogos certeiros. Deixa de lado qualquer 'bronca' cinemanovista e expõe o desespero de homens e mulheres em busca de alguma, qualquer coisa nova....Um 'antídoto antimonotonia"! Dos melhores de Khouri.

Jorge Didaco and Cedric like this

Aflwydd

28Jan11

Where can I find this?

Cedric

16Apr13

Did you manage to see it yet? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHrV2P006G0
Aflwydd

16Apr13

I have not so thank you! I actually have a Khouri work on my laptop waiting to be watched so will get around to that at some point.
Cedric

18Apr13

Let me know your impressions! The subs were made by me, so if you have any complains or suggestions also hit me up. What's that other Khouri, The Burning Body?
Aflwydd

22Apr13

It is yes. However, the run seems to be significantly lower than what it should be. Ah well, what can you do?