STORIES OF SAMBA

Lyrical, sarcastic, mischievous, and emotional, that’s how the old Adoniran Barbosa narrates to Cícero, a young waiter who dreams of living off samba, the stories of a São Paulo that no longer exists. He reminisces about the “shack” where he lived with his friends Joca and Mato Grosso, two rogues who dream of winning Iracema’s heart. While she works hard as a shop assistant, the two do everything they can to avoid the grind and live a carefree life. With the help of samba, Adoniran, Joca, and Mato Grosso survive poverty and hunger, but their way of life is threatened when the neighborhood begins to undergo rapid transformation, a sign that if they don’t find work, they may be swallowed by progress. As Adoniran shares his tales, he strengthens his bond with Cícero, and both bear witness to the city’s relentless growth, which continues to trample its people. Real estate speculation and evictions are still the forces that paint the city’s unequal landscape.